The effectiveness of n-acetylcysteine and cinnarizine on paraquat-induced neuro and hepato-toxicity in mice


ÇEÇEN S., CENGİZ G., AKTAY G., Söylemezoǧlu T.

Gazi Universitesi Eczacilik Fakultesi Dergisi, vol.18, no.1, pp.49-57, 2001 (Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 18 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2001
  • Journal Name: Gazi Universitesi Eczacilik Fakultesi Dergisi
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.49-57
  • Keywords: Cinnarizine, Glutathione, Lipid peroxidation, Malondialdehyde, N-acetylcysteine, Paraquat
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, ameliorating effects of N-acetylcysteine, a potent free radical scavenger, and a diphenylpiperazine derivative calcium antagonist cinnarizine, useful for the treatment of neurological disorders besides Cardiovascular, hepatic and renal diseases, on paraquat-induced oxidative stress were investigated. N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 50 mg/kg, i.p.) and cinnarizine (CIN, 200 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered one hour prior to the administration of paraquat (PQ, 40 mg/kg, i.p.). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and gluhathione (GSH) were determined as markers of oxidative stress. After PQ treatment, MDA levels, an index of lipid peroxidation, significantly increased in both brain and liver (p<0.001). Pretreatment with NAC and CIN prevented PQ-induced increases in MDA in brain (p<0.05) and in liver (p<0.001, p<0.05 respectively). Mice dosed with NAC showed a significant increase in GSH levels in both tissues (p<0.01) compared to the group dosed with PQ only. On the other hand, the alteration in brain and liver GSH levels in CIN administered group was not found meaningfull statistically.