Abstract :
Background: Formaldehyde, a colorless aldehyde with pungent odor, has negative
effects on central nervous system. But, there are a little data about protective substances
against neuronal damage induced by formaldehyde. Therefore, the present study was to
examine histological changes in the cerebellum of formaldehyde exposed mice and
possible effects of N-acetyl cysteine on these changes at histopatological level.
Methods: Forty eight adult male NMRI mice were randomly divided into six groups: (I)
control, (II) treated with 10 mg/kg formaldehyde, (III) treated with formaldehyde and
50 mg/kg N-acetyl cysteine, (IV) treated with formaldehyde and 100 mg/kg N-acetyl
cysteine, (V) treated with formaldehyde and 200 mg/kg N-acetyl cysteine, (VI) treated
with formaldehyde and 400 mg/kg N-acetyl cysteine. At the end of 14 days, the
cerebellums were processed histologically and morphometric study was carried out
using Image J software. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0 and
ANOVA test. Results: The present study demonstrated a remarkable decrease in both
the thickness and the number of the neurons of granular layer as well as the mean size
and the mean number of Purkinje cells in formaldehyde-treated mice. Treatment with 50
mg/kg NAC increased the number of the neurons in molecular layer of the cerebellum
as well as the thickness of the gray and white matter. Moreover, it increased the
numbers of Purkinje cells (8.47±3.01 vs. 5.82±1.41). Conclusions: Our results suggest
that administration with 50 mg/kg N-acetyl cysteine prevents formaldehyde-induced
neuronal damage in cerebellum of mice.
