N-Acetylcysteine and Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity: Is It a Suitable Antioxidant Supplementation to Prevent Nephrotoxicity in Male or Female Rats?



Rajabi N¹ ; Nematbakhsh M² ; Pezeshki Z³ ; Talebi A⁴ ; Ashraf F⁵ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Isfahan Medical School Published:2013

Abstract

Background: N-Acetylcystein (NAC) is a thiol compound with antioxidant effect that can be effective in cancer, cardiovascular disease, HIV infection, and organ toxicity. Cisplatin is widely used in clinics, and the common side effect of this drug is nephrotoxicity that can be also gender related. In order to prevent cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity, antioxidants supplementation is suggested; therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the preventive role of NAC on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in male and female rats. Methods: 40 Wistar rats of both sexes were studied in six groups. Male rats received a single dose of cisplatin (7 mg/kg) at first day and 600 (group 1) and 300 (group 2) mg/kg/day NAC and saline (group 3) for a period of one week, intraperitoneally. Female rats in the groups 4 to 6 were received similar regimen as the groups 1 to 3, respectively. Before- and after-study serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), nitric oxide metabolite (nitrite), and magnesium (Mg), and after-study serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured. The kidney was subjected to pathological investigation to determine the intensity of kidney tissue damage. Findings: No significant difference in the serum levels of MDA, Cr, BUN, nitrite and Mg were observed between the groups not only in male groups but also in female rats. However, the serum level of SOD was significantly different between the groups (P < 0.05). Lack of kidney tissue damage difference between the groups in two different sexes confirmed the ineffectiveness of intraperitoneal administration of NAC to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Conclusion: The intraperitoneal administration of NAC, as a potent antioxidant, did not protect the kidney against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicty in male and female rats.