THE TOXIC EFFECT OF CADMIUM ON HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES AND NAC'S PROTECTIVE ROLE

The toxic effects cadmium (Cd), which is a heavy metal, on human erythrocytes and protective effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes were investigated. The effects of 1, 50, 150 mu M doses of cadmium and 1mM NAC on the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in human erythrocytes and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities were investigated. When the Cd was applied alone, it was found that MDA level increased in erythrocytes and SOD, CAT and GPx activities decreased. No statistically significant difference was observed when 1mM NAC administered erythrocytes were compared with the control cells. However, the beneficial effect was seen only in administration doses of Cd at the levels of I and 50 mu M and NAC was observed to have a protective effect. As a result, NAC partially reduced the toxic effect caused by Cd on erythrocytes but could not completely prevent it.