Attenuation of gibberellic acid-induced cerebellar toxicity by N-acetylcysteine in adult male rats; histological, ultrastructural, biochemical and immunohistochemical studies

Gibberellic acid (GA3) is one of the plant growth regulators that are not nutrients, but chemicals used to promote, influence, growth development and plant availability. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) exerts protective effects in the brain via its antioxidant activity that gives it the neuroprotective role. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of NAC against GA3 induced cerebellar toxicity in adult male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were divided equally to four groups. Group I, is the control group. Group II, where rats received an oral dose of NAC (300mg/kg) three times per week. Group III, where rats received an oral dose of 200 ppm of GA3 (equivalent to 55mg/kg, three times per week). Group IV, where rats received GA3 simultaneously with NAC. Light and ultrastructural microscopic examinations of the cerebellar cortex of GA3-treated animals revealed prominent neurotoxic effects on its three layers. The brain content of antioxidant enzymes was significantly decreased while the malondialdehyde level was significantly increased. Moreover, the immunohistochemical results showed elevation in the expression of Bcl2 and reduction in the expression of Bax. While, GA3 and NAC- treatment retrained all the explained toxic changes and almost restored the normal structure.