Study of Effect of N-Acetyl Cysteine on Reduction of Paraoxon-Induced Oxidative Stress in Brain and Heart Tissues

Organophosphate (OP) pesticide is used as chemical warfare nerve agents against both military and civilian population during the Iran–Iraq War. Paraoxon (POX) as an OP acts via the inhibition of cholinesterase and disturbance in body antioxidant systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) as an antioxidant against POX- induced oxidative stress in rat brain and heart.
In present experimental study, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups including: control group (corn oil as POX solvent), POX group (0.7 mg/kg), NAC group (160 mg/kg), and NAC POX, all of which were given intraperitoneally. 24 hours after injection, animals were anesthetized by ether, and brain and heart tissues were quickly removed. After tissues hemogenation, cholinesterase (ChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, as well as glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by biochemical methods. Finally data were analyzed by one-way Anova.
POX increased SOD (P POX induces oxidative stress in brain and heart via free radical production, depleted GSH content. Administration of NAC as antioxidant decreases POX-induced oxidative stress by free radicals scavengering and also GSH synthesis stimulation.