The comparison of N-acetylcysteine and Vitamin D on oxidative Liver Toxicity in Sub-Acute Paraquat Poisoning

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Paraquat is mainly used as an herbicide and its toxicity can be caused by acute and chronic liver disease by increasing the active oxygen species, in this study, we investigated the effect of N-acetyl cysteine and vitamin D on the oxidative toxicity of Liver tissue in sub-acute toxicity with paraquat. METHODS: In this experimental study, 36 male albino Wistar 8 weeks old were randomly divided into 6 groups: 1) control group; 2, 3) control animals received intraperitoneal injection of Vit D 2 µg/kg/day or NAC 6.25 mg/kg/day (IP); 4) received paraquat 5 mg/kg/day (IP); 5 and 6) received paraquat and treated with Vit D 2 µg/kg/day or NAC 6.25 mg/kg/day for 7 days. At the end of the study, serum and liver tissue were collected. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation (LPO), total thiol groups (TTG), ALT and AST levels in liver tissue were evaluated. Also liver histopathological evaluation was performed. FINDING: Based on the results, in paraquat-poisoned groups compared to the healthy control group, the LPO was increased by 239.83±70.87 versus the control group 123.1±16.63 and the liver enzymes were increased. TAC in paraquatpoisoned groups was 68.66±23.41 that showed a significant decrease compared to the control group 126.50±18.25. Also, TTG in paraquat-poisoned groups was 40.50±5.95 that significantly decreased compared to control group (P<0.05). Moreover, LPO was significantly reduced in vitamin-treated groups 156.33±39.40 compared to the paraquat-poisoned group of 239.83±70.87. In addition, histopathologic findings showed that vitamin D could improve the tissue damage caused by paraquat in the liver. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that Vit D and NAC decreased oxidative toxic stress, and tissue damage in the Liver caused by paraquat poisoning. © 2018, Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.