N-acetylcysteine attenuates oxidative stress and liver pathology in rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Table 1 Body mass and serum biochemical parameters in all groups

Parameter(mean ± SEM)	Control(n = 8)	NASH(n = 8)	NASH + NAC20(n = 9)
Body mass (g) at the beginning	239.0 ± 2.27	245.1 ± 1.0	251.4 ± 1.7
at 6 wk	438.4 ± 9.7	197.0 ± 8.1a	207.8 ± 6.9a
AST (U/L)	86.8 ± 4.3	53.6 ± 9.3a	65.6 ± 8.7
ALT (U/L)	40.2 ± 2.4	23.0 ± 1.9a	25.4 ± 5.7a
Cholesterol (g/L)	71.8 ± 1.8	94.8 ± 3.1a	91.4 ± 3.5a
Triglycerides (g/L)	90.3 ± 19.1	147.8 ± 32.6	89.2 ± 28.2

^aP < 0.05 vs control.

Table 2 Effects of NAC on liver histology in rats with NASH (scores)

Group	n	Steatosis				Necroinflammation
		0	1	2	3	0	1	2	3
Control	8	8	-	-	-	8	-	-	-
NASH	8	-	-	5	3	-	5	2	1
NASH + NAC20	9	-	6	2	1	3	4	1	1