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Acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen protect against oxidative neurotoxicity

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Abstract

Due to the implication of oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disorders we decided to investigate the antioxidant properties of acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen either alone or in combination. The thiobarbituric acid assay (TBA) and the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay were used to investigate quinolinic acid (QA)-induced: lipid peroxidation and superoxide anion generation in the rat hippocampus, in vivo. The study also shows, using cresyl violet staining, the preservation of structural integrity of neuronal cells following treatment with acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen in QA-lesioned rat hippocampus. Furthermore the study sought to determine whether these agents have any effect on endogenous (QA) formation. This study shows that acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen inhibit QA-induced superoxide anion generation, lipid peroxidation and cell damage, in vivo, in the rat hippocampus. In addition these agents inhibit the enzyme, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase (3-HAO), responsible for the synthesis of endogenous QA.

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Acknowledgements

This study was made possible by a grant from the South African National Research Foundation to Prof. S. Daya. HM and DSM thanks the Medical Research Council (South Africa) for their Post Doctoral scholarships. The authors would like to thank Dave and Sally Morley for technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6139, South Africa

    H. Maharaj, D. S. Maharaj & S. Daya

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  1. H. Maharaj
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  2. D. S. Maharaj
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  3. S. Daya
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Correspondence to S. Daya.

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Maharaj, H., Maharaj, D.S. & Daya, S. Acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen protect against oxidative neurotoxicity. Metab Brain Dis 21, 180–190 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-006-9012-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-006-9012-7

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