Detection of protective effects of N-acetylcysteine on renal functions by using 99mTC-MAG3 in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity

Background and Aim: This study investigated the protective and curative effects of N-acetylcysteine treatment alone and together with ascorbic acid on renal functions by using 99mTc-MAG3 in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.Methods: Adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=8). All the rats? baseline scintigraphic images were taken by 99mTc-MAG3 under anesthesia. Control group received normal saline. Nephrotoxicity group, third and fourth groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of 12 mg/kg cisplatin on the fourth day of experiment. The third and fourth groups were given intraperitoneal N-acetylcysteine (500 mg/kg per day for 7 days). In addition the fourth group was administered intraperitoneal ascorbic acid (250 mg/kg per day for 7 days). At the end of the experiment all animals? renal scintigraphic images were taken by 99mTc-MAG3 under anesthesia. Intracardiac blood samples were taken, kidneys were removed for biochemical and histopathological evaluation.Results: It was observed that cisplatin impaired concentration and excretion functions of kidney and not affected perfusion, N-acetylcysteine improved this, N-acetylcysteine + ascorbic acid was more effective, it almost completely ameliorated concentration functions. Serum BUN, urea, creatinine levels, serum and tissue MDA levels which indicates oxidative injury increased in cisplatin group, decreased in . Total antioxidant capacity levels decreased in cisplatin group, increased in N-acetylcysteine and N-acetylcysteine + ascorbic acid groups. Tubular necrosis was less severe in N-acetylcysteine and N-acetylcysteine + ascorbic acid groups than cisplatin group in histopathologic analysis.Conclusion: N-acetylcysteine decreased oxidative damage in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, but it was not sufficient to maintain kidney functions. It was observed that adding ascorbic acid to the treatment supported antioxidative effects, kidney protective effects, so it can be a suitable alternative.Key words: N-acetylcysteine, ascorbic acid, cisplatin, nephrotoxicity, 99mTc-MAG3