Effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in protecting against mercuric chloride-induced nephrotoxicity.
Mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced nephrotoxicity, as measured by functional and biochemical parameters was evaluated in rats at different kidney non-protein sulfhydryls (NPS) levels. Diethylmaleate (DEM) induced a 75% of NPS diminution 1 h after the administration. Renal function (clearance) and biochemical measurements (gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity in urine, and lipoperoxides in kidney tissue) were impaired when the animals were HgCl2-treated. Values were highly impaired when the kidneys were NPS-depleted and were improved when NPS pools were previously increased although they were not similar to control values. DEM treatment promoted a higher accumulation of HgCl2 in both kidney and liver while NAC-treatment reduced significantly the metal content in these organs. These data are in favour of a positive relationship among mercury content and organ injury. On the other hand, mercury content increased while NPS levels diminished. NPS might play a role in the HgCl2 detoxification and thus avoids mercury accumulation and mercury effects.
Farmacologia, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquimicas y Farmaceuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina.
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D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008298:Maleates / Q000494:pharmacology; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000652:urine
D008298:Maleates; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D008628:Mercury; C014476:diethyl maleate; D005978:Glutathione; D000111:Acetylcysteine