title: Reversal of methylmercury-induced oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage by the treatment of N-acetyl cysteine: a protective approach.
abstract: This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of N-acetyl cysteine in reducing methylmercury (MeHg)-induced oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage in liver, kidney, and brain, and their ability to restore altered hepatic, renal, and other biochemical variables. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (150±10 g) were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 served as the control. Groups 2 and 3 were administered methylmercury (1 mg kg⁻¹ orally, 5 days/week) for 12 weeks, and group 2 served as the experimental control. Group 3 received N-acetyl cysteine (0.6 mg kg⁻¹ intraperitoneally, two days/week) for 12 weeks after methylmercury exposure. Methylmercury exposure caused a significant rise in bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen, with a concomitant decrease in albumin content, reduced glutathione level and acetyl cholinesterase activity, antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and adenosine triphosphatase. However, lipid peroxidation level, metallothionein expression, and DNA damage with increment of tail length were observed after methylmercury intoxication. N-acetyl cysteine, a widely available, nontoxic amino acid derivative, is a promising antioxidant with a wide spectrum of biological functions. The ability of N-acetyl cysteine to enhance mercury excretion and its wide availability in clinical use indicate that it may be an ideal therapeutic agent against methylmercury poisoning.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, UNESCO Satellite center of Trace Element Research & School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Deepmala
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, UNESCO Satellite center of Trace Element Research & School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Mittal Deepak
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Indira Gandhi National Open University, Biochemistry Department, School of Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shakya Arvind
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, UNESCO Satellite center of Trace Element Research & School of Studies in Zoology, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Shukla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sangeeta
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D000111:Acetylcysteine