The present work investigates the protective effects of
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on
carbofuran-induced alterations in
lipid composition and activity of membrane bound
enzymes (Na+-K+-
ATPase and Ca2+-
ATPase) in the rat brain. Animals were exposed to
carbofuran at a dose of 1 mg/kg
body weight, orally, for a period of 28 days. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation in terms of
TBARS was observed in brain after
carbofuran exposure. NAC administration (200 mg/kg
body weight) on the other hand lowered the
carbofuran-induced lipid peroxidation to near normal. The increased lipid peroxidation following
carbofuran exposure was accompanied by a significant decrease in the levels of total
lipids, which is attributed to the reduction in
phospholipid levels. Furthermore, NAC administration had a beneficial effect on
carbofuran-induced alterations in
lipid composition. The ratio of
cholesterol to
phospholipid, a major determinant of membrane fluidity, was increased in response to
carbofuran exposure. This was associated with decreased activity of Na+-K+-
ATPase and Ca2+-
ATPase. NAC was observed to offer protection by restoring the
cholesterol to
phospholipid ratio along with the activity of Na+-K+-
ATPase and Ca2+-
ATPase. The results clearly suggest that
carbofuran exerts its neurotoxic effects by increasing lipid peroxidation, altering
lipid composition and activity of membrane bound
enzymes. NAC administration ameliorated the effects of
carbofuran suggesting its potential
therapeutic effects in
carbofuran neurotoxicity.