Effects of N-acetyl cysteine on oxidative stress and TNF-α gene expression in diclofenac-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

The consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as diclofenac, can lead to hepatotoxicity. In the present study, protective effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on diclofenac-induced hepatotoxicity was investigated. Thirty-two male rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 (control group) was treated with normal saline (1 ml/kg, i.p.) for 4 d. Group 2 (test without treatment) received diclofenac only (50 mg/kg, i.p.) for 4 d. Groups 3 and 4 received diclofenac (50 mg/kg, i.p.) plus NAC (150 mg/kg, p.o) and silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o) for 4 d, respectively. At the end of experiment, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lipid profile, uric acid, protein carbonyl content, MDA, liver TNF-α, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, liver catalase, superoxide dismutase, vitamin C, and histopathological examination were done. In group 2, diclofenac caused a significant increase (p < .05) in the levels of serum ALP, GOT, GPT, TNF-α, uric acid, protein carbonyl content, MDA, and liver TNF-α gene expression as opposed to group 1. In treated groups with NAC and silymarin, a significant reduction (p < .05) was seen in all above mentioned parameters as well as improved liver histopathological changes compared with group 2. This study confirmed the protective effect of NAC on diclofenac-induced hepatotoxicity in rats due to not only reduces liver inflammatory cells, TNF-α, serum MDA, and PC but also through increases liver vitamin C, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities.

Keywords:

• Catalase
• diclofenac
• N-acetyl cysteine
• oxidative stress
• TNF-α

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express our gratitude to those who have helped us in Clinical Biochemistry Research Center of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran. The results described in this paper were the MS dissertation of Mr. Ali Nouri.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran [Grant no. 2640].