The effects of N-acetylcysteine and vitamin C on liver and pulmonary tissue damage in rats following bile duct ligation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of N-acetylcysteine NAC and vitamin C on pulmonary histological alterations in bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats.


METHODS
The current study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical School of Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey between May 2007 and July 2007. Thirty-five males Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 210-240 grams, were used. Group 1 rats (n=7) underwent only laparotomy. Group 2 rats (n=7) were subjected to BDL. Group 3 rats (n=7) were subjected to BDL and given vitamin C. Group 4 rats (n=7) were subjected to BDL and given NAC. Group 5 rats (n=7) were subjected to BDL and received NAC plus vitamin C. At the end of the 3 week period, biochemical and histological evaluations were processed.


RESULTS
Total bilirubin values were decreased in group 5 compared to group 2, 3, and 4. Group 2 showed massive interstitial infiltration with inflammatory cells. Interstitial edema, focal cuboidal metaplasias of alveolar lining cells, and severely damaged pulmonary architecture were noted. Treatment of rats with NAC and vitamin C produced a significant reduction in the histopathological score compared to groups 2, 3, and 4.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of NAC and vitamin C reduced lung histological alterations in BDL rats with afforded by each drug individually.
Ozturk
Hayrettin
H
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical School, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu 14280, Turkey. ozturkhayrettin@hotmail.com
Terzi
Elcin H
EH
Ozturk
Hulya
H
Kukner
Aysel
A
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000473:pathology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D000111:Acetylcysteine