EFFECT OF N-ACETYL CYSTEINE ON THE BRAIN REDOX STATUS IN A GLUTAMATE EXCITOTOXICITY MODEL

REIDES C; LLESUY S; HVOZDA ARANA AILEN,; LASAGNI VITAR R, ; FERREIRA S; JANEZIC NS; WEISCHLER N

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires

Congreso; LXII Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica (SAIC); 2017

Abstract: Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter in central nervous system. Glutamate excitotoxicity is thought to play an important role in neuronal damage. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) could be useful as a donor of sulfhydryl groups, increasing glutathione levels. The aims were to evaluate changes in redox status in brain of rats subjected to a model of glutamate excitotoxicity and to identify modifications when an antioxidant therapy was given. The experimental model consisted of four groups: Glutamate Group was injected with 1g/kg weight of monosodium glutamate, Control Group was injected with saline solution, Treated Glutamate Group was supplemented with 150 mg/kg weight of NAC and with 1 g/kg weight of monosodium glutamate and Treated Control Group was supplemented with 150 mg/kg weight of NAC. The supplementation was given every day while the glutamate was injected at days 1, 5 and 9. CICUAL approved every experimental procedure. The following markers were evaluated in brain homogenates: the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), NADPH oxidase, protein oxidative damage, and glutathione levels. Glutamate increased SOD (28%,p