Redox Nanoparticle Therapeutics for Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of an antioxidative nanoparticle (RNPN) recently developed against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. The effects of oral administration ofRNPNto APAP-treated mice were assessed for various biochemical liver function parameters: alanine transaminase (ALT) activity, aspartate transaminase (AST) activity, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, prothrombin time, and serum albumin (ALB) level. The treatment effects were assessed in terms of free radical parameters: malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, % inhibition of superoxide anion (O2-∙), and histopathological examination. TheN-acetylcysteine (NAC)-treated group exhibited an enhanced prothrombin time relative to the control group, whileRNPNdid not prolong prothrombin time. TheRNPN-treated animals exhibited lower levels of ALT, AST, and ALP, while increased ALB levels were measured in these animals compared to those in the other groups. TheRNPN-treated animals furthermore exhibited improved MDA levels, GPx activity, and % inhibition ofO2-∙, which relate to oxidative damage. Histological staining of liver tissues fromRNPN-treated animals did not reveal any microscopic changes relative to the other groups. The findings of this study suggest thatRNPNpossesses effective hepatoprotective properties and does not exhibit the notable adverse effects associated with NAC treatment.