title: The biochemical effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in experimental spinal cord injury in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we investigated the biochemical effectiveness of methylprednisolone, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and methylprednisolone combined with NAC treatment in experimental spinal cord injury in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 250-300 g were divided into four groups. Spinal cord injury was created extradurally with an aneurysm clip at the T4-T5 level. Following the trauma, Group C (Control group, n:8) was not given any treatment. Group M (methylprednisolone group, n:8) was treated with 30 mg x kg(-1) methylprednisolone followed by a maintenance dose of 5.4 mg x kg(-1) per hour. Group N (NAC group, n:8) was given 150 mg x kg(-1) NAC. Group MN (methylprednisolone and NAC group, n:8) was given 30 mg x kg(-1) followed by an hourly maintenance dose of 5.4 mg x kg(-1) methylprednisolone and 150 mg x kg(-1) NAC intraperitoneally. Twenty-four hours after the trauma, the rats were decapitated under anesthesia, and their spinal cord samples were taken for biochemical examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean malonyldialdehyde (MDA) values in Groups M, N and MN were significantly reduced compared to Group C. Mean superoxide dismutase (SOD) values in Groups M, N and MN were significantly higher than in Group C (p<0.05). No difference existed between Groups M and N with respect to mean MDA and SOD values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Methylprednisolone, NAC and methylprednisolone plus NAC treatments have potential biochemical benefits in preventing secondary injury in experimental spinal cord injury in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Sarikamiş Military Hospital, Kars, Turkey. vhanci@gmail.com
authors.forename: Volkan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hanci
authors.forename: Alaeddin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kerimoğlu
authors.forename: Kenan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koca
authors.forename: Aykut
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Başkesen
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kiliç
authors.forename: Didem
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taştekin
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000111:Acetylcysteine; D008775:Methylprednisolone