N-acetylcysteine+nimesulide: An association strategy aiming to prevent nimesulide-induced hepatotoxicity

Introduction: Nimesulide is a potent anti-inflammatorywith rapid and long-lasting effects, but also with high riskof hepatotoxicity. Objective: This work aimed to preventnimesulide-induced hepatotoxicity through the associationof nimesulide hepatoprotective agent. Materials andMethods: First, we tested three agents:N-acetylcysteine, L-carnitine, Gingko biloba extract inan in vitro hepatic cell model. Both N-acetylcysteine G.biloba showed promisor results. We selected N-acetylcysteineto continue studies an animal In vivo study wasperformed using male Wistar rats divided 4 groups: control,nimesulide (100mg/kg/day), (100mg/kg/day) +N-acetylcysteine alone(100mg/kg/day). Treatments were given by gavage, daily, for15 days. Results: Animals receiving alone showedlower body weight gain compared control. Body weightgain + group was higherthan alone, evidencing lower toxicity. However,the of N-acetylcysteinegroup still than control animals. treatedwith presented increased relative mass ofheart, liver, spleen significant damage seen inmicroscopy when other groups. N-acetylcysteineco-administered prevented increasedheart mass, same not true liver spleen.Conclusions: evidence partial protection elicitedby association againstnimesulide-induced