THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF N-ACETYLCYSTEINE ON DI-ETHYL PHTHALATE EXPOSED UTERUS OF WISTAR RATS

Diethyl Phthalate (DEP) is a chemical widely used industrially as a plasticizer to improve the flexibility of plastics. DEP leaches from plastic products and enters body tissues because it does not bind to plastic polymers and have been reported to have endocrine disrupting effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the uterus of female wistar rats exposed to DEP. Uterine dysfunction was evaluated by histopathological, biochemical and hormonal assays. Twenty female adult Albino rats were divided into four groups of five rats per group as follows: Group A rats (were given 0.5ml of olive oil orally to serving as control), Group B rats (were orally administered 100mg/kg bwt NAC), Group C Rats (orally received 500 mg/kg bwt of DEP suspended in 0.5ml of olive oil), and Group D Rats (were orally administered 100mg/kg bwt NAC and 500 mg/kg body weight of DEP concomitantly) for seven days. Histopathological results showed that DEP induces mild inflammation in the endometrial stroma of the uterus, while the endometrium and myometrium of the NAC co-treatment group were normal. Biochemical assays revealed that DEP reduced Glutathione reductase (GSH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Catalase levels, while they were increased in the NAC co-treatment group. DEP also increased levels of Nitric oxide, Lipid peroxidation marker, Hydrogen peroxide, and Myeloperoxidase levels while they were decreased in the NAC co-treatment group. The hormonal assay results showed a slight decrease in the levels of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone(FSH) and Estrogen in Group C, which was improved in Group D. Conclusion: Exposure to Diethyl phthalate (DEP) at the administered dose for (7) days induced mild inflammatory, and oxidative stress in the uterus while co-treatment with NAC produced a modest, and short-term protective effect. Further studies in exploring longer exposure duration should be considered.