The protective effect of N-acetyl cysteine against carbon tetrachloride toxicity in rats

Abstract Background Carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) is used as a solvent for oils and fats, as a refrigerant, and as a dry-cleaning agent. Inhalation of its vapors can depress central nervous system activity and cause degeneration of the liver and kidneys. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate whether N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) has a protective effect on the toxicity caused by carbon tetrachloride. Methods Male rats were used in this experiment. Animals were divided into five groups, 5 animals each: G1 received olive oil, G2 was treated with CCL4 (1 ml/kg body wt) dissolved in olive oil (1:1), G3 received NAC (300 mg/kg body wt), G4 received CCL4 plus NAC, and G5 received NAC for 1 week then administrated to the same treatment of G4. All administrations were performed by gavage and maintained for 4 weeks. Results The present study revealed that administration of CCL4 caused a significant increase in liver marker enzymes Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP); also, malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver tissue was increased. However, serum total protein showed no change in all groups. Also, histopathological investigation of CCL4 on the liver, testis, and kidney showed different deleterious effects. Additionally, CCl4 induced a highly significant increase in the percentage of sperm shape abnormality and sperm DNA tail moment values. Alternatively, result revealed that the two routes of NAC administrations caused a significant decrease in liver marker enzymes as well as MDA contents; improvement in liver, kidney, and testes architecture; a significant decrease in the percentage of sperm head abnormalities; and decline in the DNA tail moment values. Conclusion The present study pointed out the protective effect of NAC against the toxicity of CCL4.