The Protective and Therapeutic Roles of Hexamethylenetetramine and N-Acetyl-Cysteine on Sulfur Mustard-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Serum

Sulfur mustard(SM) is a strong alkylating agent that increases the formation of free radicals. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the protective and therapeutic roles of hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) and N-acetyl-cysteine(NAC) in reduction of SM-induced oxidative stress in rat serum. In the present experimental study, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups including: control group, SM group (an endotracheal injection of SM 0.5%/kg only once), HMT group (7.5mg/kg), NAC group (0.5mg/kg), HMT-SM group, NAC-SM group, SM-HMT group and SM-NAC group. HMT and NAC were received daily an hour before and after receiving SM by intraperitoneal injection for 14 days. After 14 days, the rats were anesthetized by ether, their blood was collected by cardiac puncture and the serum was obtained. Then, superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT) and glutathione S-transferase(GST) activities, as well as glutathione(GSH) and malondialdehyde(MDA) levels were determined by biochemical methods. SM decreased serum SOD (p<0.001) and CAT (p<0.05) activities as well as GSH level (p<0.01), whereas it increased GST activity (p<0.01) and MDA level (p<0.01). HMT and NAC pre- and post-treated animals showed a difference in these biochemical parameters as compared to SM-treated rats. The study findings revealed that SM induces oxidative stress in rat serum. HMT and NAC can ameliorate SM-induced oxidative stress by altering antioxidant defense system in serum. The protective effect of HMT against the toxicity of SM is higher than NAC.