N-acetylcysteine reduces the hepatic complications of social isolation stress through modulation of interleukin 1 and 6 gene expression and liver enzymes in mice.

Social isolation stress can alter liver function. This study examined the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on biochemical and genetic liver changes in mice under social isolation stress. Ten male and ten female mice were individually placed in Plexiglas cages for mating. Their pups were divided into six groups of eight (three male and three female): a control group receiving normal saline, a social isolation stress group (SIS + NS) also receiving saline, and a social isolation stress group treated with intraperitoneal NAC (SIS + NAC). Behavioral tests, including Resident Intruder, Sociability Index, and Social Novelty Preference Index, were conducted. Liver catalase, serum antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, and gene expression of interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 6 in the liver were assessed. NAC reduced violent behaviors while increasing interaction duration and frequency in the Sociability test. It enhanced liver catalase and serum antioxidant capacity while reducing serum malondialdehyde and liver interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 6 expression. The results of this study showed that N-acetylcysteine exerts its effects by reducing oxidative stress and reducing genes involved in inflammation. These findings suggest that NAC, with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, mitigates liver damage caused by social isolation stress.