title: The protective effect of N-acetylcysteine on oxidative stress in the brain caused by the long-term intake of aspartame by rats.
abstract: Long-term intake of aspartame at the acceptable daily dose causes oxidative stress in rodent brain mainly due to the dysregulation of glutathione (GSH) homeostasis. N-Acetylcysteine provides the cysteine that is required for the production of GSH, being effective in treating disorders associated with oxidative stress. We investigated the effects of N-acetylcysteine treatment (150 mg kg(-1), i.p.) on oxidative stress biomarkers in rat brain after chronic aspartame administration by gavage (40 mg kg(-1)). N-Acetylcysteine led to a reduction in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides, and carbonyl protein levels, which were increased due to aspartame administration. N-Acetylcysteine also resulted in an elevation of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase activities, as well as non-protein thiols, and total reactive antioxidant potential levels, which were decreased after aspartame exposure. However, N-acetylcysteine was unable to reduce serum glucose levels, which were increased as a result of aspartame administration. Furthermore, catalase and glutathione S-transferase, whose activities were reduced due to aspartame treatment, remained decreased even after N-acetylcysteine exposure. In conclusion, N-acetylcysteine treatment may exert a protective effect against the oxidative damage in the brain, which was caused by the long-term consumption of the acceptable daily dose of aspartame by rats.
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Roraima Avenue, 1000, Camobi, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, 97105-900, Brazil.
authors: Isabela A
authors: IA
authors: Finamor
authors: Giovana M
authors: GM
authors: Ourique
authors: Tanise S
authors: TS
authors: Pês
authors: Etiane M H
authors: EM
authors: Saccol
authors: Caroline A
authors: CA
authors: Bressan
authors: Taína
authors: T
authors: Scheid
authors: Bernardo
authors: B
authors: Baldisserotto
authors: Susana F
authors: SF
authors: Llesuy
authors: Wânia A
authors: WA
authors: Partata
authors: Maria A
authors: MA
authors: Pavanato
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001218:Aspartame / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D000111:Acetylcysteine; D001218:Aspartame