The effect of N-acetylcysteine on inflammation and oxidative stress in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity: a rat model

Background/Aim: Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of solid organ cancers. Besides its chemotherapeutic effectiveness, cisplatin administration is associated with numerous side effects. Of those, the most clinically significant and common effect is nephrotoxicity. Recent studies reported that oxidative stress and inflammation are probably the most important mechanisms that contribute to the nephrotoxicity. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent. In the present study, the effects of NAC on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity were investigated. Materials and methods: Rats were divided into four groups each including eight rats: CONT, NAC-250, CP, and CP+NAC. Rats in experimental groups were treated intraperitoneally (i.p.) with a single dose of cisplatin (10 mg/kg body weight) and i.p. with NAC (250 mg/kg body weight) for three consecutive days. Nephrotoxicity was determined by plasma BUN and creatinine levels. In tissue samples, myeloperoxidase (MPO), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), high mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1), total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were measured. Kidneys were analyzed histopathologically as well. Results: It was revealed that cisplatin was not effective on MPO, HMGB-1 and NF-kB levels but did increase TOS levels and decrease TAS levels in tissue samples. Interestingly, NAC elevated MPO and HMGB-1 levels significantly. Nevertheless, NAC ameliorated histological and functional changes in kidney tissues. Conclusion: It is suggested that inflammation has a limited effect on cisplatin nephrotoxicity in this experimental design, and, as reflected by decreased BUN and creatinine levels, NAC can be used as an additional therapeutic agent in standard cisplatin treatment protocols.