The Effects of N-Acetylcysteine on Kidney Apoptosis in a Rat Intraabdominal Sepsis Model

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on kidney apoptosis using a rat intraabdominal sepsis model. Material and Methods: Rats were randomised into three study groups: sham (n=7), sepsis (n=7), and NAC (n=7) groups. In sham group, only laparotomy was performed, whereas in both sepsis and NAC groups, cecal ligation and perforation were done. After surgical process, in sham and sepsis groups, 1 mL saline was given once daily intraperitoneally for three Days, and in NAC group, 150 mg/kg NAC was given once daily intraperitoneally for three days. Six hours after the last dose, midline laparotomy was performed to all rats, and both kidneys were removed for biochemical and histopathological samplings. Findings from these tissues were compared based on malondialdehyde levels, structural changes in renal corpus and proximal tubules, mononuclear cell infiltration, erythrocyte extravasation and cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinases (caspases)-3 immunoreactivity. Data were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Witney-U tests. Results: Structural changes in proximal tubules, caspase-3 immunoreactivity and mononuclear cell infiltration and erythrocyte extravasation were significantly increased in sepsis group when compared to sham (p<0.05). Mononuclear cell infiltration and erythrocyte extravasation were significantly less in NAC group when compared to sepsis (p<0.05). Structural changes in interstitial space were increased in both sepsis and NAC groups when compared to sham (p