Effects of erdosteine on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

We investigated the effects of erdosteine on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), and ALT (alanine transaminase) activities, and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide levels as oxidant/antioxidant biochemical parameters were investigated with light microscopic evaluation in adult female Wistar Albino rats. APAP administration produced a decrease in hepatic SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities, and coadministration of erdosteine (150 and 300 mg/kg) resulted in increases in the activities. MDA and NO levels increased in the APAP group, and erdosteine treatments prevented these increases. Significant elevations in serum AST and ALT levels were observed in the APAP group, and when erdosteine and APAP were coadministered, their serum levels were close to those in the control group. Light microscopic evaluation of livers showed that there were remarkable centrilobular (zone III) hepatic necrosis and mild to moderate sinusoidal congestion in the APAP group, whereas in the erdosteine group, cellular necrosis was minimal and the hepatocytes maintained a better morphology when compared to the APAP group. Erdosteine prevented APAP-induced liver injury and toxic side effects probably through the antioxidant and radical scavenging effects of erdosteine.