Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The protective effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine and Epigallocatechin-3-gallate on electric field-induced hepatic oxidative stress med./bio.

By: Güler G, Turkozer Z, Tomruk A, Seyhan N
Published in: Int J Radiat Biol 2008; 84 (8): 669-680
Download citation in RIS format

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To examine the effects of extremely low frequency electric fields on oxidative stress, nitrosative stress parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities in the liver tissue of guinea pigs. The study also adresses whether individual and combined application of N-acetyl-L-cysteine and epigallocatechin-3-gallate decreases the harmful effects of extremely low frequency electric fields.

Background/further details

80 male guina pigs were randomly divided into eight groups (10 each): 1) sham exposure group, 2) N-acetyl-L-cysteine group (NAC), 3) epigallocatechin-3-gallate group (EGCG), 4) NAC + EGCG group, 5) electric field exposure group, 6) NAC + electric field exposure group, 7) EGCG + electric field group, and 8) NAC + EGCG + electric field group. All exposures started at 09:00 h and ended at 17:00 h for seven consecutive days.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 8 h/d for 7 days

General information

animals were treated in the following groups: i) sham exposure ii) sham exposure + 30 mg/kg N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAG) iii) sham + 25 mg/kg epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) iv) sham + NAG + EGCG v) exposure to electric field vi) exposure to electric field + NAC vii) exposure to electric field + EGCG viii) exposure to electric field + NAC + EGCG

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 8 h/d for 7 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • copper plate capacitor with a plate distance of 18 cm
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 12 kV/m - measured and calculated - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The results indicated a significant increase in the levels of oxidant products (malondialdehyde, nitrate, nitrite, total level of nitric oxide), and a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, myeloperoxidase). The individual or combined application of N-acetyl-L-cysteine and epigallocatechin-3-gallate prior to electric field application resulted in the reduction of oxidative stress.
Taken together, these findings support the suggestion that N-acetyl-L-cysteine and epigallocatechin-3-gallate might have hepato-protective effects in extremely low frequency electric field induced oxidative and nitrosative stress.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles