Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
06:12
Inducing Acute Liver Injury in Rats via Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) Exposure Through an Orogastric Tube
Published on: April 28, 2020
Intraperitoneal N-acetylcysteine for acute iron intoxication in rats
Rachelle Breitbart1, Ibrahim Abu-Kishk, Eran Kozer
1Pediatric Emergency Unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Drug and Chemical Toxicology
|July 12, 2011
Summary
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly reduced mortality in rats with acute iron intoxication. This antioxidant may lower serum iron levels and improve survival rates in iron poisoning cases.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Acute iron intoxication can cause tissue damage via free radical formation.
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a glutathione substitute and antioxidant used as an antidote.
- The efficacy of NAC in reducing mortality from acute iron poisoning requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of intraperitoneal (i.p.) N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on mortality in rats experiencing acute oral iron intoxication.
- To assess the impact of NAC administration on serum iron levels in iron-poisoned rats.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats were administered toxic oral doses of iron.
- Experimental groups received either iron alone or iron followed by i.p. NAC.
- Survival rates and serum iron levels were measured and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Mortality was significantly lower in rats treated with both iron and NAC compared to those treated with iron alone (P=0.016).
- Median serum iron levels were significantly reduced in the iron and NAC group versus the iron-only group (P=0.002).
Conclusions:
- Intraperitoneal administration of NAC demonstrates a potential to decrease mortality in a rat model of acute iron intoxication.
- NAC treatment may effectively lower elevated serum iron levels associated with acute iron poisoning.
