Protective effects of N-acetylcysteine niosome nanoparticles on paraquat-induced nephrotoxicity. - GreenMedInfo Summary

INTRODUCTION: Paraquat (PQ) as a bipyridyl compound is widely used as an effective herbicide that produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), affecting the unsaturated lipids of cell membranes leading to cell mortality. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a medication that has a beneficial role in reducing the intoxication of kidneys caused by PQ. Nio-somes are bilayer vesicles that increase the bioavailability of drugs. After formulating NAC niosome nanoparticles (NACNP), This study aimed to compare the effects of NAC and niosome of NAC (NACNPs) on PQ-induced kidney toxicity concerning its antioxi-dant activity.

METHODS: In this experimental study, after formulating NACNP, 30 Wistar male rats weighing 180 to 250 gm were classified into five groups: Control group with normal sa-line, all following four groups received 35mg/kg/day of PQ via intraperitoneal route and, respectively, treated with 25mg/kg/day NAC, 25mg/kg/day niosome and 25 mg/kg/day NACNP by gavage. Then oxidative stress biomarkers such as‎ total antioxi-dant capacity (TAC), catalase activity (CAT), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and total thiol group (TTG), and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine levels were evaluated in kidney tissue homogenate and examined histopathologically.

RESULTS: The results showed that TTG increased significantly in NAC&NACNP groups than in the PQ group. Moreover, in the PQ group, LPO increased significantly compared with the control, NAC, and NACNP groups, and in the NAC and NACNP group, LPO de-creased compared with the PQ group. There was no significant difference in TAC be-tween groups. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine levels decreased in NACNP compared with the PQ group and the NAC. Histological studies also approved PQ in-duced damage and the protective effect of NACNP.

CONCLUSION: The results showed that NACNP could modulate oxidative stress status and kidney function against PQ toxicity.