Prophylactic Effect of N-Acetyl Cysteine on Salivary Glands Against Oxidative Stress in Male Albino Rats: Biochemical and Histological Study.

Aim of the Study: This research aimed to examine the protective antioxidant role of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) against H2O2 induced oxidative stress in male albino rats. Material and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group1 (Negative Control Group) (n=10): Normal diet and tap water for drinking, injected daily with 1ml/kg distilled water(DW) (i.p.) for 4 weeks. Group2: ( H2O2 Treated Group) (n=10) received normal diet, drinking water containing 0.5% H2O2 daily to induce oxidative stress and injected daily with 1 ml/kg body weight distilled water(i.p.) for 4 weeks. Group3: (NAC Group) (n=10) received normal diet, tap water for drinking and injected daily with NAC 150 mg /kg body weight (i. p.) for 4 weeks. Group 4: (Protected Group) (NAC+H2O2) (n=10) received normal diet and drinking water contain 0.5% H202 daily to induce oxidative stress and injected daily with NAC 150 mg. /kg body weight ( i. p.) for 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected from all the animals groups for testing the antioxidant enzymes (Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase) and blood glucose level. The body weights were checked. At end of the experiment the animals were anaesthetized. The salivary glands were dissected for histologic investigation. Results: Showed a significant reduction in levels of both Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase enzymes and a significant increase in the blood glucose level at p ≤0.05, and a severs degeneration in salivary glands tissue for the H2O2 Treated Group compared to the Negative Control Group, NAC Group and Protected Group (NAC+H2O2) which show no significant changes. Conclusion: This study indicates the prophylactic and protective roles of NAC against H2O2 induced oxidative stress deteriorating effect on salivary glands tissue, antioxidant enzymes, and blood glucose level in male albino rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]