N-acetyl cysteine reverses cholinergic and non cholinergic toxic effects
induced by nerve agent poisoning in rats.
Abstract
An Organophosphorus Nerve agent, VX [(O-Ethyl
S-diisopropylaminomethyl) methylphosphonothiolate] compound interfere
with acetylcholine signaling by targeting the AChE enzyme. Studies
suggest that in nerve agents poisoning, non-cholinergic effects are also
responsible for damages in peripheral tissues including long term damage
in brain. Present study reports cholinergic and non-cholinergic effects
of VX poisoning and their reversal by combinational therapy using
conventional antidotes atropine sulphate and 2-PAM chloride along with
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) as an antioxidant. In present study, it was
attempted to prevent the toxic effects of nerve agent poisoning by using
combination therapy with NAC so as to prevent both cholinergic and
non-cholinergic damages. NAC was chosen as this molecule is available as
approved drug for medical conditions including oxidative damage and
mucolysis. Results of the study showed that NAC adjuvant treated groups
had better recovery not only in cholinesterase level, it maintained
intracellular and tissue GSH level, reduced in ROS generation and lipid
peroxidation. Cell cycle analysis and histopathological results showed
NAC could able to protect the damage. In conclusion it was found that
combination therapy of antioxidant; NAC along with standard
atropine-oxime treatment is helpful in reducing the cholinergic and
oxidative stress mediated toxicity induced by VX.