Synergistic protective effects of lycopene and N-acetylcysteine against cisplatin-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats

Sci Rep. 2021 Jul 7;11(1):13979. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-93196-7.

Abstract

Cisplatin (CP) is one of the most frequently used chemotherapy agents. The objective of this design was to determine the ameliorative effect of lycopene (LP) and/or N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in rats with hepatic and renal toxicity induced by CP. Rats were divided randomly into 7 groups (7 rats/group): control vehicle group (saline only), the LP group (10 mg/kg, orally), the NAC group (150 mg/kg, orally), the CP group (7.5 mg/kg, IP on day 27), the LP-CP group, the NAC-CP group, and the LP-NAC-CP group. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (APK), and levels of urea, creatinine, and lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) increased after CP injection in the serum. Moreover, CP decreased levels of protein, albumin, and HDL cholesterol. Meanwhile, malondialdehyde significantly increased with a decrease in reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the liver and kidney tissues. CP also induced some pathological lesions and increased the expression of caspase-3 in the liver and kidney tissues. Administration of LP and NAC alone or in combinations ameliorated hepatorenal toxicity and apoptosis induced by CP.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcysteine / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Biomarkers
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Cisplatin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kidney / drug effects*
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Lycopene / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers
  • Protective Agents
  • Cisplatin
  • Lycopene
  • Acetylcysteine