N-acetylcysteine effectively alleviates systemic lupus erythematosus in mice via regulation of oxidative stress

Feng Lu,Bingxin Liu,Hui Zhao

doi:10.4314/tjpr.v19i12.16

Abstract

Purpose: To study the influence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mice, and the mechanism(s) involved. Methods: Fourteen MRL/lpr SLE mice aged 5 weeks (mean weight = 20.35 ± 2.12 g) were divided into two 7-mouse groups: SLE (control) and treatment groups. The control group comprised healthy female SPF-grade C57BL/6 mice (n = 7). The treatment group mice received intraperitoneal injection of NAC at a dose of 250 mg/kg daily for 8 weeks. The serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), and activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were assayed using standard methods. The level of urine protein and activity of anti-double stranded (ds) DNA antibody were determined using their respective enzyme-linked assay (ELISA) kits. Results: The spleens of mice in SLE mice were significantly enlarged, relative to control mice, but they were reduced significantly by NAC (p < 0.05). N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) also significantly reduced the serum levels of MDA and NO in SLE mice, but significantly increased the serum activities of superoxide dismutase and GPx. Moreover, urine protein concentration and activity of anti-dsDNA antibody in SLE mice significantly increased, but reduced significantly by NAC treatment (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that NAC effectively alleviates SLE in mice via regulation of oxidative stress. Thus, NAC has the potentials for development into a therapy for the management of SLE. Keywords: Anti-dsDNA antibodies, Antioxidant enzymes, N-acetylcysteine, Oxidative stress, Systemic lupus erythematosus

Highlights

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, as well as cardiac and pulmonary tissues [1]
There were no marked variations in general data of mice among the groups (p > 0.05; Table 1)
Under condition of oxidative stress, the level of Nitric oxide (NO) is significantly elevated, thereby leading to lipid peroxidation and tissue damage [14]. The results of this investigation revealed that NAC markedly reduced the levels of MDA and NO in SLE mice, but it markedly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, as well as cardiac and pulmonary tissues [1]. Mice in the treatment group received intraperitoneal injection of NAC at a level of 250 mg/kg body wieght daily for 8 weeks, while the control mice were given commensurate amount of normal saline intraperitoneally, instead of NAC. The serum was kept at room temperature for 5 min, followed by absorbance measurement at 550nm. Seven healthy female SPF-grade C57BL/6 mice and 14 MRL/lpr SLE mice aged 5 weeks (mean weight = 20.35 ± 2.12 g) were obtained from Shanghai Ruitaimosi Biotechnology Co. Ltd. The ds-DNA antibody levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. Alkaline phosphatase-labeled anti-human IgG was added, followed by incubation at room temperature for 30 min. Urine protein level and activity of anti-ds DNA antibody were assayed using ELISA.

RESULTS

DISCUSSION

Conflict of interest