Effects of n-acetyl cystein on histopathological changes and oxidant-antioxidant status in rabbits exposed to biomass fumes

SUMMARYEFFECTS OF N-ACETYL CYSTEIN ON HISTOPATHOLOGICALCHANGES AND OXIDANT-ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN RABBITSEXPOSED TO BİOMASS FUMESDr. Levent TETİKBackground and Objectives: Biomass known to cause many pulmonary disorders.In this study we aimed to show the effects of N-acetyl cystein on histopathologicalchanges and oxidant-antioxidant status in rabbits exposed to biomass fumes.Methods: Four groups each with five rabbits were formed. A glass box (80x80x80cm) similar to the one that Mays defined was used. Group 1 (control) is exposed onlyto dry air, group 2 (NAC) was given NAC, group 3 (biomass) was exposed only tobiomass fumes and group 4 (biomass+NAC) was both exposed to biomass fumes andgiven NAC in a duration of 1 month for 1 hour daily. At the end of 1 month periodrabbits were sacrificied. Lung tissues were examined histopathologically. Proteinsulfhydryls (SH), carbonyl, MDA levels in blood were measured.Results: In the histopathological examination of lung tissues scores, for respiratoryepithelial proliferation (p=0.008), alveolar destraction (p=0.006) and emphysematouschanges (p=0.007) were significantly higher in group 3 ( biomass) than group 1(control). There was a significant difference between group 4 (biomass+NAC) andgroup 3 (biomass) (p=0.017) for intraparenchimal fibrozis. SH levels weresignificantly decreased in group 3 (biomass) than group 1 (control) (p=0.00).Conclusions: Exposure to biomass fumes cause respiratory epithelial proliferationand emphysematous changes and also negatively effects oxidant-antioxidant status.However NAC has no healing effect on histopathological changes and oxidativestress.