RESUMO
This study included 90 adult male albino rats. They were divided into two groups, each comprising 45 rats, out of which 15 were used as controls. N- acetylcysteine was given orally in a doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for three weeks. At the end of each week 10 rats from each experimental group as well as 5 rats from control animals were sacrificed and biochemical and pathological studies for hepatic functions and biochemical and pathological studies for hepatic functions and structure were performed. NAC in the high dose group induced significant changes in the liver function tests suggestive of liver dysfunction and damage. Histopathological studies revealed cell ballooning partial dilatation with round cell infiltration, portal tract fibrosis and proliferations. It was concluded that NAC in small dose is safe and can be used, while in large dose it has a hepatotoxic potential