Effects of N-acetylcysteine in acute aluminum phosphide poisoning-induced oxidative stress in male rats

Background and objective: Aluminum phosphide (ALP) is a solid fumigant pesticide extensively used for household storage of grains. ALP poisoning has a high mortality rate. In ALP poisoning, superoxide and peroxide radicals are formed that lead to cellular membrane damage by lipid peroxidation. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, on aluminum phosphide poisoning-induced oxidative stress in the plasma, liver and heart tissues of rats Materials and Method: 24 male Wistar rat weighting of 300-200g (3-4 months) were divided into four groups of control (almond oil), AIP (10mg/kg), NAC (100mg/kg) with AlP and control of NAC (100mg/kg) (CNAC) with six rats for each experimental group. Oxidative system was assessed by examining malondialdehyde (MDA), NOx (Nitrite + nitrate), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity in plasma, liver and heart tissues. Additionally the fatality rate was recorded in each group. Findings: no death occurred in control groups. Alp toxicity was fatal in about 44% and NAC administration was lessened it to 34%. The mean concentration of plasma MDA, GPx and Catalase activity significantly decreased in NAC group compared to AlP group (p<0.05), however there were not Significant differences in plasma SOD and NOx levels between studied groups MDA level and GPx activity of liver was dramatically increased in ALP compared to control group. The mean catalase activity of liver in AlP group was lower than that of control group. NAC injection lowered catalase activity in ALP exposed and control animals. Also the levels of liver SOD in the AlP and NAC groups were less than control. NAC ingestion significantly decreased GPx levels in the heart tissue, but no significant differences was observed in MDA levels and SOD and catalase activity between different groups Conclusion: Results of the present study showed that NAC has potential to reverse oxidative stress induced by aluminum phosphide exposure in rats; nevertheless, the fatality rate is still high. It is proposed the other underlying mechanisms such as apoptosis / necrosis due to inflammation was investigated.

کلیدواژه ها:

N-acetylcysteine ، NAC ، aluminum phosphide poisoning ، oxidative stress ، rat