N-Acetylcysteine supplementation decreased brain lipid and protein oxidations produced by experimental homocysteine thiolactone exposure: Relevance to neurodegeneration.

High levels of homocysteine (Hcy) have neurotoxic effects. Homocysteine thiolactone (HcyT), a thioester of Hcy, plays a role in Hcy-induced toxicity. In this study, effects of HcyT treatment (500 mg/kg body weight/day in drinking water) for 6 weeks on serum Hcy levels and brain prooxidant-antioxidant balance were investigated in rats.

The effect of N-acetylcysteine supplementation on serum homocysteine levels and hepatic and renal oxidative stress in homocysteine thiolactone-treated rats.

The effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (1 g/kg body weight/day) on serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels, insulin resistance (IR), and hepatic and renal prooxidant-antioxidant balance was evaluated in rats treated with homocysteine thiolactone (HcyT) (500 mg/kg body weight/day for 6 weeks). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were determined in the liver and kidney. HcyT elevated serum Hcy levels and caused IR, but liver and kidney function tests remained unchanged.