Protective effects of N-acetyleysteine on sepsis rats' liver

Objective To investigate the role of N-acetyleysteine(NAG)in protecting liver a- gainst sepsis rats.Methods Ninety Wistar rats were randomly allocated into three groups:sham opera- tion group(group A),sepsis group(group B),treatment group with NAC(group C).There were 30 rats in each group.In group A rats were not subjected to caecum ligation,and the other treatments were same as those in group B.Sepsis rat model was induced by ligating and puncturing caecum,and then the ab- domen was closed.NAC(150 mg/kg)was given via vena caudalis in group C after caecum was ligated and punctured.The rats in each group were sacrificed on 6,12 and 24 h after operation,respectively.Ten rats of each group was killed at each time point.Serum levels of TNF-αand IL-1βwere determined at three time points.Tissues from liver were obtained to observe the pathological changes under microscopy. Results Serum ALT and AST levels in groups B and C were higher than those in group A.Serum ALT levels were significantly higher in group B than those in group C at 12 h after operation(132.8±12.36 vs 87.4±10.22;284.6±26.47vs 156.6±13.56).Serum AST levels were significantly higher in group B than those in group C at 24 h after operation(308.6±30.42 vs 175.6±17.67).In group B,the levels of inflammatory mediators were obviously increased and the hepatic functions and morphological struc- tures were damaged.In group C,the levels of inflammatory mediators were significantly lower than those in group B(TNF-α165.41±20.14,325.36±42.20,578.40±61.70;IL-1β128.24±17.21, 298.24±32.02,302.36±46.26)vs(TNF-α142.25±18.72,232.32±30.24,342.20±44.55;IL-1β96.41±16.3,164.30±26.18,201.47±40.56).Conclusion NAC is helpful for the treatment of rat sepsis by down-regulating the inflammatory mediators'levels.