The effect of N-acetyl cysteine on serum glutathione, TNF-alpha and tissue malondialdehyde levels in the treatment of sepsis

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on the levels of reactive oxygen species in sepsis. METHODS In this study, 30 Sprague-Dawley female rats weighing 180-200 g were used. Rats were randomized into three groups, each containing 10 rats, as follows: Group I: Sham, Group II: Sepsis and Group III: Sepsis+NAC. Group I underwent only laparotomy. In Groups II and III, sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) technique. NAC (20 mg/kg/day) was administered orally to Group III at 0, 8 and 16 hours. At the 24th hour, tissue and blood samples were taken for erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels, histopathological determination, and lung, liver and kidney tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) analyses. RESULTS Group III was significantly different from the other groups with respect to erythrocyte glutathione, serum TNF-alpha and kidney MDA levels (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding liver MDA levels and histopathological parameters for lung, liver and kidney (p>0.05). CONCLUSION NAC treatment had beneficial effects on erythrocyte GSH, serum TNF-alpha, lung function, and kidney MDA levels in sepsis-induced rats. However, this beneficial effect was not confirmed as histopathological improvement. Further research is needed to prove the effect of NAC in sepsis treatment.