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. 2016 Oct 20;10:3425–3434. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S115339

N-acetylcysteine and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid alleviate oxidative stress and hepatic dysfunction induced by sodium arsenite in male rats

Ahmed M Abu El-Saad 1,4, Mohammed A Al-Kahtani 2, Ashraf M Abdel-Moneim 3,4,✉
PMCID: PMC5076801  PMID: 27799742

Abstract

Environmental exposure to arsenic represents a serious challenge to humans and other animals. The aim of the present study was to test the protective effect of antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) either individually or in combination with a chelating agent, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), against sodium arsenite oral toxicity in male rats. Five groups were used: control; arsenic group (orally administrated in a concentration of 2 mg/kg body weight [b.w.]); the other three groups were orally administrated sodium arsenite in a concentration of 2 mg/kg b.w. followed by either NAC (10 mg/kg b.w., intraperitoneally [i.p.]), DMSA (50 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) or NAC plus DMSA. Arsenic toxicity caused significant rise in serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin, and a significant decrease in total protein (TP) and albumin levels after 3 weeks of experimental period. In addition, arsenic-treated rats showed significantly higher arsenic content in liver and significant rise in hepatic malondialdehyde level. By contrast, sharp decreases in glutathione content and catalase and glutathione reductase activities were discernible. NAC and/or DMSA counteracted most of these physiologic and biochemical defects. NAC monotherapy was more effective than DMSA in increasing TP, while DMSA was more effective in decreasing alanine aminotransferase. The combined treatment was superior over monotherapies in recovery of TP and glutathione. Biochemical data were well supported by histopathological and ultrastructural findings. In conclusion, the combination therapy of NAC and DMSA may be an ideal choice against oxidative insult induced by arsenic poisoning.

Keywords: arsenic; N-acetylcysteine; meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid; liver pathology; oxidative imbalance

Introduction

Arsenic contamination of drinking water and human diet poses serious health problems across the world. This element is abundant in some rocks of earth’s crust, and the excessive applications of agricultural insecticides and rodenticides increase arsenic contamination in ground water.1,2 Exposure to arsenic results in cardiovascular abnormalities, hepatic and renal diseases as well as neurological deficits.3 In fact, arsenic has been implicated in the occurrence of various tumors and it is classified as a group I carcinogen.4–6 Liver is one of the target organs of arsenic toxicity and carcinogenesis.7,8 Epidemiological studies have indicated that chronic arsenic exposure causes abnormal liver function and hepatotoxicity.9 Previous studies have revealed that arsenic induces hepatic oxidative injury and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which could be detrimental to biological membranes.10,11 Thus, increasing the cellular antioxidant capacity has become an appropriate approach to abolish arsenic toxicity.12,13

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an organosulfur antioxidant derived from Allium plants. It is reported to exert a hepatoprotective activity.14 NAC has both mucolytic and anticarcinogenic properties.15 As a source of sulfhydryl groups, NAC is able to restore endogenous antioxidant potential, promote detoxification and act as a strong scavenger of toxic radicals such as OH• and H2O2.16 NAC was also shown to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, leading to increase of liver repair.17 It is a standard chemoprotective drug against the toxicity of carcinogenic metals.18,19 Additionally, NAC has cytoprotective effect caused by inorganic arsenic.20 On the other hand, chelating agents such as meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) were used as antidotes for acute and chronic metal poisoning in laboratory animals.21 DMSA is hydrophilic and belongs to the mercapto family, which has vicinal dithiol moiety for the binding of metals. Clinical trials and research establish this compound as the major metal chelator, based on renal metal excretion and its safety attributes compared to other types of chelating legends.22 Interestingly, several authors highlighted the usefulness of combination therapy instead of monotherapy with chelators/antioxidants against toxic effects of metals.23–28 In this regard, Flora29 and Kannan and Flora30 reported the reduction of tissue oxidative stress by DMSA (or its analogs) and NAC in rats exposed to chronic arsenic via drinking water. In the present study, we demonstrated the pharmaceutical effects of DMSA/NAC on liver injury induced by short-term (subacute) toxicity of arsenic in male rats. Specifically, biochemical parameters indicative of hepatocellular damage and ROS production were analyzed. Liver histological and ultrastructural anomalies were also monitored at the same time.

Materials and methods

Chemicals

Sodium arsenite (NaAsO2, molecular weight 129.9), NAC and DMSA were purchased from Sigma Chemicals, St Louis, MO, USA. All other chemicals and reagent used in this work were of analytical grade. NAC was dissolved and diluted in sterile normal saline (pH 7.2). DMSA was freshly prepared in 10% NaHCO3 solution. The arsenic compound, NaAsO2, was dissolved in distilled water instantly prior to use.

Animals

Adult male albino rats (10–13 weeks, 150–200 g) were obtained from an animal facility at Alexandria University, Egypt. Animals were housed in plastic cages in a well-ventilated room; they had free access to standard lab chow and water for 1 week before and during the experiment. Rats were also maintained at controlled temperature of 25°C–27°C in 12-hour light/12-hour dark photoperiod schedule.

Treatments and tissue collection

Male albino rats were divided randomly into five groups (eight rats per group); animals were treated for 3 weeks as follows:

  1. Group 1: injected (i.p.) with saline (control).

  2. Group 2: received 2 mg NaAsO2/kg b.w. orally once daily.

  3. Group 3: received NaAsO2 as described in Group 2 followed by 10 mg NAC/kg b.w. (i.p.) once daily.

  4. Group 4: received NaAsO2 as described in Group 2 followed by 50 mg DMSA/kg b.w. (i.p.) once daily.

  5. Group 5: received NaAsO2 followed by NAC and DMSA (as described in Groups 2, 3 and 4).

Doses of arsenic, NAC, and DMSA were selected based on previous studies.27,31 Animals were fasted overnight after the end of treatment, and then they were sacrificed under diethyl ether anesthesia. Blood was taken from abdominal aorta, then serum was separated via centrifugation and stored at −20°C until assay. Half portion of liver was removed, rinsed in cold saline (0.9% NaCl), blotted, weighted and processed immediately for biochemical estimation, and a small part of tissue was stored at −20°C for wet acid digestion and analysis of arsenic content. The remaining intact liver tissues were taken for light and electron microscopy. The experimental design was in accordance with the National Institute of Health (NIH) guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals and the treatment protocols were approved by a local committee review at Alexandria University.

Biochemical analyses

Liver function tests

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin (TB) were assayed in serum according to the standard spectrophotometric procedures described by the manufacturers (Sigma Diagnostics (I) Pvt. Ltd., Baroda, India). Serum albumin was estimated using a specific kit (Thermo Trace-BECGMAN, Germany). Total protein (TP) content was determined by the method of Lowry et al32 using bovine serum as standard.

Assay for redox status in tissue homogenates

An amount of 200 mg of liver sample was taken and homogenized in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer containing 1 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (pH 7.4). The homogenate (10%) was centrifuged at 10,000× g for 20 minutes at 4°C; the resultant supernatant was used for oxidative stress-related parameters. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) was determined by thiobarbituric acid method, which estimates the malondialdehyde (MDA) formation.33 Levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) were detected by the method of Ellman.34 The activity of glutathione reductase (GR) was measured by monitoring the oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) at 340 nm in the presence of oxidized GSH according to Beutler.35 Catalase (CAT) activity was evaluated as previously described by the method of Sinha.36

Estimation of arsenic residues in liver

Liver samples were wet acid digested37 and the concentration of arsenic in the digested samples were measured according to Nandi et al38 using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (ECIL-4141; ECIL, Hyderabad, India) at 193.7 nm wavelength and 10 mA current. Samples were analyzed against standards within the linear range of the calibration. The values were expressed in microgram per gram of tissue. The detection limit for arsenic was 0.02 ppm. Analytical accuracy was ensured by repeated analysis of test samples; eight freshly prepared standards and reagent blanks were run with each analytical series.

Histological study

Livers were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. From each tissue sample, 4 μm sections were prepared and stained with routine hematoxylin–eosin. The micrographs of the relevant stained sections were subsequently taken with the aid of Olympus light microscope.

Electron microscopic examination

Small pieces of liver (1–3 mm) were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde (buffered) for 3 hours at 4°C. Subsequently, samples were postfixed in 1% osmium tetroxide (cold) in 0.1 M phosphate or cacodylate buffer (pH 7.2) for 1 hour. Samples were then flushed in phosphate buffer, dehydrated in increasing series of ethanol and embedded in Araldite. Ultrathin sections (80–100 nm) were obtained with an ultramicrotome (Nova; LKB Inc., Bromma, Sweden). Sections were mounted on 200 mesh Cu grids, double stained with 4% uranyl acetate (15 minutes) followed by 1% lead citrate (2 minutes) and materials were viewed under a Jeol-CX-100 transmission electron microscope at 80 kV.

Statistics

Experimental data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by post hoc comparisons for mean values. Results were presented as mean ± standard error of mean, and P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

Results

Biochemical findings

Oral administration of arsenic caused a significant increase in the activities of serum AST (+61.8%), ALT (+203.4%), and bilirubin level (+108.7%), but statistically significant reduction was found in TP concentration (−42%) and albumin level (−18.5%) when compared with control group (Figure 1A–E). Monotherapy with NAC and the combined treatment of NAC + DMSA resulted in a significant decrease in serum AST activity compared to the arsenic group; AST was restored to normal values only after combined treatment (Figure 1A). Meanwhile, NAC-alone did not significantly reduce serum ALT activity, which responded significantly to both DMSA-alone and NAC + DMSA. However, only NAC + DMSA combined treatment revealed a maximum reduction in the enzyme activity without attaining control values (Figure 1B). However, treatment with NAC, DMSA and their combination after arsenic exposure significantly reduced the increased serum bilirubin level compared to the arsenic-treated group. Three weeks of co-treatment with NAC + DMSA provoked a more intensive lowering in arsenic-induced elevation of serum bilirubin level compared to individual treatments and restored its level near to the control (Figure 1C). The inhibited level of serum TP after treatment with arsenic was significantly elevated in rats treated with NAC, DMSA, and NAC + DMSA compared to arsenic-intoxicated group. Remarkably, the combination treatment with NAC + DMSA produced a recovery in serum protein level over that by either of them alone, although it was still significantly lower than those of healthy controls (Figure 1D). Anywise, NAC or DMSA monotherapy and the combined treatment of NAC + DMSA failed to protect against arsenic-induced reduction of serum albumin (Figure 1E).

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Effect of NAC and/or DMSA on arsenic induced changes in serum levels of AST (A), ALT (B), TB (C), TP (D), and albumin (E). Each bar represents mean ± SE of eight animals in each group. Bar superscripts with no common letters (a–e) are significantly different (P<0.05).

Abbreviations: NAC, N-acetylcysteine; DMSA, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; TB, total bilirubin; TP, total protein; SE, standard error; AS, arsenic.

Compared to the control group, LPO level was markedly increased in the arsenic-exposed rats as exhibited by a significant increase in the level of hepatic MDA (+46.2%). In addition, the level of GSH (−40%) and activities of GR (−47.6%) and CAT (−39.6%) were significantly decreased (Figure 2A–D). DMSA-alone treatment or in combination with NAC showed a more pronounced reduction and retrieved MDA level toward normalization, while treatment with NAC-alone was unable to reduce the increase in the hepatic MDA level (Figure 2A). The level of GSH and the activity of GR were significantly elevated after treatment with NAC, DMSA, and NAC + DMSA compared to the arsenic-treated group. Strikingly, only the combination of NAC + DMSA efficiently restored the inhibited GSH level to near normal (Figure 2B), whereas treatment with NAC and/or DMSA enhanced GR activity toward normalization (Figure 2C). After arsenic administration, the activity of CAT in rats given separate treatments of NAC or DMSA was the same as those treated with arsenic alone. Notably, only the combination of NAC + DMSA efficiently restored the inhibited CAT activity to near normal (Figure 2D).

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Effect of NAC and/or DMSA on arsenic induced changes in hepatic MDA (A), GSH (B), GR (C), and CAT (D). Each bar represents mean ± SE of eight animals in each group. Bar superscripts with no common letters (a–c) are significantly different (P<0.05).

Abbreviations: NAC, N-acetylcysteine; DMSA, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid; MDA, malondialdehyde; GSH, glutathione; GR, glutathione reductase; CAT, catalase; SE, standard error; AS, arsenic.

Changes of arsenic accumulation

In arsenic group, there was a significant increase in arsenic accumulation in hepatic tissue (+1,350%) compared to controls (Figure 3). A notable reduction of arsenic levels in liver tissue was recorded in arsenic-exposed rats given NAC-alone (−50.2%) and DMSA-alone (−61.6%) as compared to the arsenic group. However, a better recovery in arsenic accumulation was observed in hepatic tissue in rats treated with combined NAC + DMSA (−68.2%) as compared to the arsenic-intoxicated group. The level of arsenic remained significantly higher than the control in all exposed groups.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Effect of NAC and/or DMSA on the concentration of arsenic in liver. Each bar represents mean ± SE of eight animals in each group. Bar superscripts with no common letters (a–d) are significantly different (P<0.05).

Abbreviations: NAC, N-acetylcysteine; DMSA, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid; SE, standard error; AS, arsenic.

Histopathological observations

As shown in Figure 4A, the livers of control rats showed normal histology. The hepatic tissue from arsenic-treated rats displayed focal hepatocyte degeneration, hemorrhagic lesions, and massive inflammatory cell infiltration (Figure 4B). The damage was clearly less severe after treatment with NAC (Figure 4C) and DMSA (Figure 4D), but discrete changes were still observed. The liver architecture was normal in most areas after combined NAC/DMSA treatment regimen with no evidence of leukocyte infiltrates (Figure 4E).

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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Microphotographs of H and E-stained liver sections of rats. (A) Control depicts normal liver parenchyma. (B) Arsenic: note degeneration of hepatocytes (arrows), vascular congestion/hemorrhage (H), and multiple inflammatory sites (INF). (C) Arsenic + NAC: hepatocytes are intact but congestion and widening of sinusoidal spaces are still found. (D) Arsenic + DMSA: foci of parenchymal degeneration and necrosis are obvious (arrows). (E) Arsenic + NAC + DMSA: liver architecture is comparable to control without inflammatory characteristics. Original magnification 400× (A–E).

Abbreviations: H, hematoxylin; E, eosin; NAC, N-acetylcysteine; CV, central vein; DMSA, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid.

Liver ultrastructural changes

Liver of control rats had normal cytoarchitecture (Figure 5A). Fine structure of liver of the arsenic-treated group revealed dramatic modifications in cell structure, including cytoplasmic vacuolization, diminished rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) cisternae, few number of disrupted mitochondria, and condensation of nuclear chromatin (ie, pyknosis) (Figure 5B). Decreased degenerative areas and vacuolization, increased RER membranes in hepatocytes, and rarely pyknotic nuclei were seen after NAC treatment (Figure 5C). Also, DMSA treatment after arsenic showed an ameliorative appearance of RER, mitochondria, and nucleus (Figure 5D). Hepatocytes regained their normal appearance after combined treatment of NAC + DMSA (Figure 5E).

Figure 5.

Figure 5

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Electron micrographs of liver sections of rats. (A) Control shows hepatocyte with normal cellular organelles and intact nuclear chromatin; N indicates nucleus, M indicates mitochondria, and arrows indicate endoplasmic reticulum. (B) Arsenic observe increased peripheral chromatin in the nucleus (N), mitochondria (M) with ill-defined cristae, few endoplasmic reticulum (arrow) and numerous obvious vacuoles all over the cytoplasm (V); bc indicates bile canaliculus. (C) Arsenic + NAC: note that less condensed chromatin in the nucleus (N), scattered mitochondria (M), and in-between short strands of endoplasmic reticulum are visible. (D) Arsenic + DMSA: the cytoplasm is heavily populated with mitochondria and less fragmented endoplasmic reticulum (compared to B). Notable increase in organelle degeneration is still evident (arrow). (E) Arsenic + NAC + DMSA: hepatocyte is preserved without vacuolization, nucleus (N) without abnormal chromatin, normal mitochondria (M) with intact cristae, normally shaped rough endoplasmic reticulum (arrow). Original magnification 7,500× (A) and 5,000× (B–E).

Abbreviations: NAC, N-acetylcysteine; DMSA, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid.

Discussion

The present study aimed at comparing the effectiveness of NAC and DMSA on subacute hepatotoxicity of arsenic in rats. Exposure to arsenic increased serum levels of AST, ALT, TB, and TP, and decreased albumin level, reflecting a broad hepatocellular damage. These results are in good accordance with those in previous studies.39–43 Administration of NAC counteracted arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity as shown by decreased levels of AST and TB, and elevated TP content. In support to the latter results, NAC was reported to have a tendency to avert liver damage via membrane stabilization, thereby suppressing the leakage of hepatic enzymes through membranes.30 Also in this work, DMSA monotherapy was even better than NAC in relieving ALT, probably due to relatively efficient elimination of arsenic via chelation (Figure 3). Of special interest is the observation that the combined therapy was more beneficial than individual treatments in reversing TP.

There is a growing evidence indicating that arsenic toxicity involves oxidative damage that plays an imperative role in biochemical alterations. Various studies have reported that arsenic exposure generates ROS-like superoxide anion (O2•−), hydroxyl radical (•OH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), singlet oxygen (1O2), and peroxyl radicals.44 A primarily measure of arsenic-induced oxidative stress is the increase in MDA level (a marker of LPO), which is a hallmark of the excess generation of intracellular ROS and hepatotoxicity.29 In the present study, arsenic-treated animals showed significantly increased levels of free radical-mediated LPO and decreased levels of GSH, CAT, and GR compared to control. These changes agreed by other researchers such as Flora et al,24,25 Messarah et al,41 El-Demerdash et al,45 Jain et al,46 Manimaran et al,47 Kotyzová et al,48 and Mohanta et al.49 The increase in O2•− by arsenic decreases CAT activity.50,51 The decreased CAT activity may relate to their effective functioning for elimination of hepatic ROS. Moreover, the inhibition of GR leads to accumulation of the pro-oxidant glutathione disulfide by preventing reduction of GSSG to GSH, suggesting that GR may not compensate the consumption of GSH. Some of the ultrastructural changes observed in arsenic-treated rats including fragmentation of RER, breakdown of mitochondrial cristae and disturbed nuclear chromatin are typical for increased ROS and impairment of protein synthesis. By contrast, the ultrastructural picture of liver following antioxidant and/or chelator therapies revealed a healthy appearance. The improvement was more obvious with NAC + DMSA, which assisted to an overall enhancement of the antioxidant defense system. In full broad agreement with these structural observations, the biochemical data showed that the combined NAC + DMSA treatment after arsenic yielded more GSH levels compared with NAC and DMSA alone. NAC interacts most strongly with •OH radicals;52 it exerts an indirect effect on antioxidant status, since it restores CAT and is a precursor for synthesis of GSH, thus providing enhanced protection against toxin-induced oxidative insult.53 DMSA has also an important role in decreasing the oxidative stress, either by eliminating the toxic metal from the target organ and/or by directly scavenging ROS via its sulfhydryl groups.25 DMSA chelator effectively interacts with arsenic in the cell, forming a saturated five-member heterocyclic ring namely 1,3-dithiol-2-arsolan. Following this, mobilization of arsenic is increased via the kidneys, which might be one of the reasons for the increase in the activities of enzymatic antioxidants.54

Polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membrane are very susceptible to free radical attack, which initiates the self-propagating LPO reactions55 resulting in the loss of membrane fluidity, decreased membrane potential, increased permeability of protons and Ca2+, and inactivation of a several membrane-bound enzymes.56 Thus, arsenic-induced LPO leads to the degradation of phospholipids and finally prompts cellular deterioration in liver. In this research, DMSA or NAC + DMSA therapeutic regimens achieved the best effect and were able to normalize LPO levels.

Conclusion

The present study confirmed the valuable effect of NAC and DMSA chelator against oxidant/antioxidant imbalance induced by short-term arsenic. The action of NAC against arsenic burden may be complementary to that of DMSA, but the underlying molecular mechanisms need further investigations.

Footnotes

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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