Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of N-acetylcysteine against malathion-induced liver damages and immunotoxicity in rats

Abstract

AimsOccupational exposure to organophosphate pesticides is becoming a common and increasingly alarming world-wide phenomenon. The present study is designed to investigate the preventive effect of N-acetylcysteine on malathion-induced hepatic injury and inflammation in rats. Main methodsAdult male Wistar rats of body weight 200–230g were used for the study. Malathion (200mg/kg b.w./day) was administered to rats by oral intubation and N-acetylcysteine (2g/l) in drinking water for 28days. Rats were sacrificed on the 28th day, 2h after the last administration. Markers of liver injury (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate desyhdogenase), inflammation (leukocyte counts, myeloperoxidase, immunophenotyping of CD4+ and CD8+, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and interferon-γ expression) and oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione and antioxidant status) were assessed. Key findingsMalathion induced an increase in activities of hepatocellular enzymes in plasma, lipid peroxidation index, CD3+/CD4+ and CD3+/CD4+ percent and pro-inflammatory cytokines, when decreased antioxidant status in liver was noted. When malathion-treated rats were compared to NAC supplemented rats, leukocytosis, T cell count and IL-1β, IL-6, INF-γ expression were reduced. Furthermore, NAC restored liver enzyme activities and oxidative stress markers. SignificanceMalathion induces hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress and liver inflammation. N-acetylcysteine showed therapeutic effects against malathion toxicity.