Effects of N-acetylcysteine and Methylprednisolone on Lung Injury in a Paraquat-Poisoned Rat Model.
- Author:
Tae Hwan CHOI
1
;
Keon Hyon JO
;
Dong Rul OH
;
Se Kyung KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. odr@cmc.cuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Paraquat;
Pulmonary fibrosis;
N-acetylcysteine;
Methylprednisolone
- MeSH:
Acetylcysteine*;
Animals;
Collagen;
Lung Injury*;
Lung*;
Methylprednisolone*;
Models, Animal*;
Paraquat;
Pulmonary Fibrosis;
Rats*;
Survival Rate
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
2001;12(3):214-221
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of N-acetylcysteine(NAC) and methylprednisolone on lung injury in the paraquat-poisoned rat model. METHODS: Sixty rats were divided into four groups(n=15 in each group) accordingly to the drug administered : group I, only intraperitoneally injected paraquat (20 mg/kg); group II, intraperitoneally injected paraquat and NAC(300 mg/kg); group III, intraperitoneally injected paraquat and methylprednisolone(60 mg/kg); and group IV, intraperitoneally injected paraquat, NAC(300 mg/kg), and methylprednisolone(60 mg/kg). On the 7th day after injection, the survival rate of experimental rats and the positive area of collagen fiber in the injured lung stained by Masson's trichrome were evaluated. RESULTS: 1. There were no differences in the 7-day survival rates for the four groups. 2. The percent of collagen fiber for group II(6.3+/-4.7%) was significantly decreased in comparison with that for group I (14.4+/-9.7%). 3. The percent of collagen fiber for Group III(13.2+/-5.9%) was not significantly different from that for group I(14.4+/-9.7%). 4. The percent of collagen fiber for Group IV(6.9+/-4.6%) was significantly decreased in comparison with that for group I, but was not different from that for group II. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that NAC protects against pulmonary fibrosis in paraquat-poisoned rats whereas methylprednisolone does not protect against pulmonary fibrosis.
