The protective effect of N-acetylcysteine amide against paraquat-induced neurotoxicity

N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) is a new antioxidant molecule with powerful radical scavenging properties. The aim of this study was to investigate neuroprotective effects of NACA against paraquat (PQ) toxicity in the midbrains of rats by using motor coordination tests and biochemical and histological analysis. Thirty adult Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: Group 1: control (n = 10), Group 2: PQ (10 mg/kg) (n = 10), and Group 3: PQ (10 mg/kg) + NACA (100 mg/kg) (n = 10). NACA was administrated intraperitoneally 30 min before PQ injection. Performance was measured for a period of 28 days. The rotarod and accelerod tests were performed prior to and after the experimental period. After the experimental period, rats were sacrificed and midbrain tissues were removed. According to biochemical data, malondialdehyde levels exhibited a significant increase (P <0.05) when the PQ group was compared to the control group, whereas the NACA-treated group showed a significant decline (P < 0.05). The total glutathione levels (P < 0.01) and the glutathione peroxidase and butyrylcholinesterase activities (P < 0.05) in the NACA treatment group were significantly raised compared with the PQ group. The main finding in the rotarod and accelerod tests was that the PQ+NACA group had improved motor coordination functions, whereas the PQ group had lost motor coordination (P < 0.05). Our histological data were also outstanding and were consistent with biochemical and motor coordination results in terms of the protective role of NACA against PQ-induced neurotoxicity.