Ramipril and N-Acetylcysteine protection against mercuric chloride-induced nephrotoxicity: correlation with superoxide dismutase, myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide synthase activities

ABSTRACT

This study examined the effect of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor [ramipril], the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine and their combination pretreatment on mercuric chloride induced nephrotoxicity. Forty-two male albino rats were used and divided into seven equal groups. Mercuric chloride administration produced a significant disturbance in renal function tests [increase in serum urea and creatinine and urinary creatinine, N-acetyl beta-glucosaminidase [NAG] and beta2-microglobulin levels]. These renal alterations were accompanied by a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase [SOD] and nitric oxide synthase [NOS] and a significant increase in myeloperoxidase [MPO] activities as compared with the control group. The results indicated that ramipril and, to a lesser extent, N- acetylcysteine may protect the kidney against HgCl2 induced nephrotoxicity. But, their combinations provoked more protection. Moreover, SOD, MPO and NOS activities may effectively help in the induction of HgCl2 induced nephrotoxicity and its prognosis