Dose and Duration of N-acetylcysteine on Superoxide Dismutase, MCP-1, and Foam Cell in Atherosclerosis Rat Model Research

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the complex process of atherosclerosis. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is currently being investigated as a potential treatment for various conditions associated with oxidative stress and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. NAC's potential as a primary preventive measure in individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease has not been investigated. Therefore, this research aims to examine the effect of NAC dosages of 600 mg and 1200 mg on Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) levels, as well as the number of foam cells in Wistar rats, used as atherosclerosis model, across administration periods of 2 weeks and 6 weeks. A total of 30 male Wistar Rattus norvegicus rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 5), including normal (N), atherosclerotic (DL) given atherogenic diet, atherosclerosis group with 600 mg NAC for 2 weeks (DLN6-2), atherosclerosis group with 600 mg NAC for 6 weeks (DLN6-6), atherosclerosis group with 1200 mg NAC for 2 weeks (DLN12-2), and atherosclerosis group with 1200 mg NAC for 6 weeks (DLN12-6). The results showed that dose and duration of NAC administration increased SOD levels and reduced MCP-1 levels and the number of foam cells in atherosclerotic Wistar rats. Based on these results, NAC may be used as a primary prevention atherosclerosis.