Introduction: As a plant growth hormone, Gibberellic acid (GA3) is broadly used in agriculture. However, it is reported to be toxic to the human body organs especially the lung. There is an increasing interest in N-acetylcysteine due to its worthy antioxidative effect.
Aim of the Work: The present study was performed to explore the possible protective role of N-acetylcysteine against the structural and morphometrical lung changes resulting due to GA3 administration of the adult male albino rat.
Material and Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats (200-250gm) were used. They were divided into three equal groups;10 rats each. Control group: received distilled water by oral gavage for 14 days. The GA3-treated group: received an oral daily dose of 55 mg GA3/ Kg b.w. for 14 days. The GA3/NAC-treated group: received 200 mg N-acetylcysteine /kg b.w. once daily for 1 week, then received GA3 and N-acetylcysteine for 14 days at the same previous doses. At the end of the experiment, the lungs of all groups were dissected out and processed for light and electron microscopic examination and morphometric analysis.
Results: The lung specimens of the GA3-treated group revealed inflammatory cells infiltration, congested blood vessels, nuclear chromatin condensation and loss of lamellar bodies of type-II pneumocytes, macrophages with dense endocytotic vesicles and a significant increase in collagen fibres area % and interalveolar septum thickness as compared with the control group. The GA3/NAC group exhibited an obvious improvement of these findings.
Conclusion: N-acetylcysteine can improve the histological and morphometrical changes induced by GA3 in the lung.