Acute Effects of N-Acetylcysteine on Total Antioxidant Capacity, Total Oxidant Capacity, Nitric Oxide Level and Gammaglutamyl Transpeptidase Activity in Rabbits

Abstract

N-acetylcysteine (NAC), acetylated derivative of cysteine amino acid, is widely used mucolytic agent. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the acute effects of NAC on total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant capacity (TOC), nitric oxide (NO), albumin, globulin, glucose levels and gammaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity. Eleven New Zealand rabbits were used in the study. Blood samples from the rabbits were taken before the start of the experiment to determine control values. NAC (100 mg/kg) was injected to rabbits as intramuscularly. Blood samples were collected from vena auricularis of rabbits at 3rd, 6th and 9th hours. While TAC levels were found high (P<0.05) at 6 and 9 hours, TOC levels were found low (P<0.05) at 3rd, 6th and 9th hours after NAC injection compared to the values before the experiment. NO levels were found low (P<0.001) at 6th and 9th hours, GGT activities were found low (P<0.05) at 3rd and 6th hours, total protein and albumin levels were found low (P<0.05) at 3rd hour after NAC injection compared to values before the experiment. As a result, after intramuscular injection of NAC, plasma TAC levels of rabbits increased, while TOC and NO levels decreased. According to the results, it can be concluded that NAC may show antioxidant effect in a short time. Therefore, NAC could be a good alternative when the antioxidant system needs to be strengthened due to its beneficial properties.