Purpose: The present study was designed to investigate the potential radioprotective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on radiation-induced nitrosative stress caused by gamma irradiation (single dose, 6 Gy) in rat liver.
Methods: The rats (n=40) were divided randomly and equally into 4 groups: Control (C), Radiation (R), R+NAC (received irradiation and 1,000 mg/kg of NAC) and R+WR-2721 (received irradiation and 200 mg/kg of WR-2721). Liver tissue of each animal was harvested and utilized for 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) detection using high-performance liquid chromatography- ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) system.
Results: In the R rats, 3-NT levels significantly increased when compared to those of the C rats (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the 3-NT levels among R+NAC and R+WR-2721 rats. Histologically examined liver tissue samples showed no obvious differences.
Conclusion: The present study suggests that irradiation has a negative effect on the cellular proteins by enhancing 3-NT formation. The prophylactic use of NAC seems to reduce the nitrosative damage during radiotherapy.