Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine on acute alcoholic liver injury in rats

Objective To investigate the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine(NAC)on acute alcoholic liver injury in rats. Methods The liver injury rat models were induced by infusing alcohol into stomach.Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:control group,acute liver injury model group,and low,middle,high doses of N-acetylcysteine(150,300,600 mg/kg)groups.The liver indices were determined and compared between groups.Serum alanine transaminase(ALT),aspartate transaminase(AST)activities,and liver superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione perioxidase(GSH-Px)activities,malondialdehyde(MDA)content were assayed. Results Compared with control group,SOD and GSH-Px activities in liver tissues decreased significantly in model group(P0.05),and serum ALT,AST levels and MDA content in liver tissues increased(P0.05).Compared with model group,SOD and GSH-Px activities in liver tissues increased significantly in N-acetylcysteine groups(P0.05),and serum ALT,AST levels and MDA content in liver tissues decreased(P0.05).The histological injury of the liver was improved in different degrees. Conclusion NAC can protect from acute alcoholic liver injury by effectively improving liver function and attenuating the degree of lipid peroxidation.