The effects of N-acetylcysteine and vitamin C on liver and pulmonary tissue damage in rats following bile duct ligation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of N-acetylcysteine NAC and vitamin C on pulmonary histological alterations in bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats.

METHODS: The current study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical School of Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey between May 2007 and July 2007. Thirty-five males Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 210-240 grams, were used. Group 1 rats (n=7) underwent only laparotomy. Group 2 rats (n=7) were subjected to BDL. Group 3 rats (n=7) were subjected to BDL and given vitamin C. Group 4 rats (n=7) were subjected to BDL and given NAC. Group 5 rats (n=7) were subjected to BDL and received NAC plus vitamin C. At the end of the 3 week period, biochemical and histological evaluations were processed.

RESULTS: Total bilirubin values were decreased in group 5 compared to group 2, 3, and 4. Group 2 showed massive interstitial infiltration with inflammatory cells. Interstitial edema, focal cuboidal metaplasias of alveolar lining cells, and severely damaged pulmonary architecture were noted. Treatment of rats with NAC and vitamin C produced a significant reduction in the histopathological score compared to groups 2, 3, and 4.

CONCLUSION: The combination of NAC and vitamin C reduced lung histological alterations in BDL rats with afforded by each drug individually.