Background & objectives: Diazinon (DZN) as an organophosphate pesticide widely used in agriculture is associated with reducing the antioxidant capacity of the cell. Use of thiol compounds such as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) as an antioxidant decreases oxidative stress in the cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of NAC as an antioxidant against DZN- induced oxidative stress in rat brain and heart.
Methods: In present experimental study, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups including: control group (corn oil as DZN solvent), DZN group (100 mg/kg), NAC group (160 mg/kg), and NAC+DZN, all of which were given intraperitoneally. 24 hours after injection, animals were anesthetized by ether, and the brain and heart tissues were quickly removed. After tissues hemogenation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, as well as glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by biochemical methods.
Results: DZN increased SOD and GST activities and MDA level and decreased LDH activity and GSH content in brain and heart. Also, DZN increased CAT activity in the heart and increased it in the brain. Administration of NAC inhibited the change in these parameters.
Conclusion: DZN through free radical production leads to enhanced membrane lipid peroxidation, depleted GSH content and oxidative stress induction in the brain and the heart. Administration of NAC as antioxidant decreases the DZN-induced oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals and GSH synthesis, but its protection is not complete.
.png)
.png)
