Therapeutic Potential of N-acetylcysteine and Glycine in Reducing Pulmonary Injury in Diabetic Rats

Malik Ejubović ¹, Dina Kapic ², Samra Custovic ²

¹Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Zenica, BIH.
²Histology and Embryology, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, BIH.
³Pathology, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, BIH.
⁴Human Physiology, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, BIH.
⁵Orthopedics and Traumatology, Tuzla University Clinical Center, Tuzla, BIH.
⁶Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Sarajevo University Clinical Center, Sarajevo, BIH.
⁷Pharmacology, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, BIH.
⁸Pulmonology, Sarajevo University Clinical Center, Sarajevo, BIH.
⁹Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, BIH.
¹⁰Pediatrics, Sarajevo University Clinical Center, Sarajevo, BIH.
¹¹Clinical Disease, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, BIH.
¹²Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, BIH.
¹³Endocrinology, Sarajevo University Clinical Center, Sarajevo, BIH.
¹⁴Pathophysiology and Internal Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, BIH.

⁰Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Zenica, BIH.

Cureus +

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December 4, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

The combination of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and glycine significantly reduced lung inflammation and fibrosis in diabetic rats, suggesting a synergistic protective effect against diabetes-induced pulmonary injury.

Area Of Science

Pulmonary Medicine
Endocrinology
Pharmacology

Background

Diabetes mellitus is linked to systemic complications, including lung injury characterized by extracellular matrix accumulation and inflammation.
Hyperglycemia exacerbates oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to diabetes-induced lung damage.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and glycine possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offering potential therapeutic benefits.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and glycine, individually and in combination, in mitigating lung injury in a rat model of type 1 diabetes.
To assess the impact of these supplements on histopathological changes, inflammation, and fibrosis in diabetic rat lungs.

Main Methods

Type 1 diabetes was induced in Wistar albino rats using streptozotocin (STZ).
Rats were assigned to control, diabetic, NAC-treated, glycine-treated, or combined NAC and glycine treatment groups.
NAC (100 mg/kg) and glycine (250 mg/kg) were administered orally for 12 weeks, followed by histopathological and stereological analysis of lung tissues.

Main Results

Untreated diabetic rats exhibited significant lung inflammation and fibrosis.
Both NAC and glycine treatments individually reduced lung inflammation and fibrosis compared to untreated diabetic rats.
The combination of NAC and glycine demonstrated the most significant improvement, with near-normal alveolar structure and minimal inflammation, significantly reducing inflammatory infiltrates.

Conclusions

The combination of NAC and glycine shows a synergistic protective effect against lung inflammation and fibrosis in diabetic rats.
These findings suggest the potential of combined NAC and glycine therapy for managing diabetic lung disease.
Further research is warranted to explore this combination for other fibrotic conditions.

Keywords:

diabetes mellitus glycine inflammation lung injury n-acetylcysteine oxidative stress