The effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine on subchronic methionine load in male wistar rats: Focus on standard biochemical parameters and markers of homocysteine metabolism in blood

Abstract

Aim: Methionine load could lead to hyperhomocysteinemia as well to changes of certain biochemical and inflammation markers. However it is not clear whether other sulfur containing amino acids should affect methionine load effects. The aim was to examine the effects of subchronic methionine (Met) overload on standard biochemical parameters and markers of homocysteine metabolism in rat blood, and to examine whether subchronic administration of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) affected mentioned parameters.

Methods: The research was conducted during a three-week period (male Wistar albino rats, n=20, body weight of approximately 160g, age of 15-20 days), and the animals were divided into a control and experimental groups, consisted of 10 animals each: a) control group (i.p. 0.1ml/day 0.9%NaCl); b) methionine (0.8 mmol/kg/bw/day); c) methionine (0.8 mmol/kg/bw/day) plus NAC (50 mg/kg/bw/day).

Results: It was found statistically altered levels of certain parameters in NAC plus Met load group vs. control (BUN, CREA, URCA, TBI, TP, ALB, AHDLA, TGL, Na, K, AMY, ACRP, respectively) as well in Met group vs. control. Interestingly, homocysteine level was not increased (control 9.98±0.65 vs. NAC plus Met load 10.21±0.71 μmol/L, P>0.05), but folate was significantly decreased (35.25±2.04 vs. 29.23±1.48 μg/L, P<0.05) as well as vitamin B12 level (882.00±32.00 vs. 756.62±43.84 ng/L, P<0.05). This trend of results was different if it was compared with Met load group vs. control.

Conclusions: The obtained results indicated that monitoring of standard biochemical parameters and homocysteine metabolism markers in blood could provide a valuable insight in the evaluation of NAC plus methionine effects, which may be useful for further research.