Effect of N-acetylcysteine on the changes of serum TNF-α,IL-1β levels in pigs with acute hepatic failure

Objective To study the changes of serum TNF-α, IL-1β levels in Pig with Acute Hepatic Failure treated by N-acetylcysteine. Methods Sixteen minipigs were divided into three groups at random: normal control group (n=2),acute failure group(n=6) treatment group(n=8). The animals of acute failure group and treatment group were induced acute hepatic failure with administration of D-galactosamine (dosage, 1.2g/kg); the treatment group was treated with NAC,acute failure group was treated with 0.9%NaCl. Biochemical parameters and Serum Levels of TNF-α, IL-1β were tested in three groups. Results The serum ALT, AST, TBil levels as well as TNF-α, IL-1β concentration were elevated significantly, PTA was fall significantly, PT was prolong significantly compared to normal control group(P0.01). Compared with acute failure group, there were significantly fall in serum ALT 12h:(89.5±23.5) U/L vs(77.2±18.5) U/L,P0.05;24h:(242.6±30.5) U/L vs (211.1±34.4) U/L,P0.05), TBil 12h:(13.1±2.5) μmol/L vs(7.8±1.5)μmol/L,P0.05;48h:(86.2±10.5)μmol/L vs(79.7±10.7)μmol/L,P0.05;and PTA levels at some time point,the levels of serum TNF-α24h:(24.0±5.3)pg/ml vs(19.3±4.2)pg/ml;48h:(29.2±8.7)pg/ml vs (26.1±3.8)pg/ml, IL-1β 24h:(18.5±3.6)pg/ml vs(15.2±3.4)pg/ml;48h:(24.3±6.3)pg/ml vs(20.1±5.2)pg/ml were fall significantly in the treatment group(P0.05). Conclusion N-acetylcysteine(NAC) can effectively protect hepatocyte function from injures and reduce the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β in Pig with Acute Hepatic Failure. N-acetylcysteine may be as a good selection for therapy for hepatic failure due to different causes except acetaminophen.