protective effects of n-acetylcysteine on dipentyl phthalate induced cognitive dysfunction and brain oxidative stress in mice

Background: dipentyl phthalate (dpep) is a plasticizer compound commonly used in polyvinylchloride plastic to enhance softness and flexibility. they are not bound covalently to plastic polymers; therefore, they can dissolve into the environment and adversely affect the health of humans and animals. objectives: the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dpep on cognition and protective effects of n-acetylcysteine (nac) on dpep induced alteration in cognitive behaviour and oxidative stress markers in mice. methods: mice were orally treated with 2 doses (33 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) of dpep for 28 days. cognitive functions were assessed using spatial navigation tasks on the morris water maze and the step-down latency in the passive avoidance apparatus. oxidative stress was assessed by examining the levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine levels in the whole brain of mice. results: there was a significant increase in latency in spatial navigation tasks and a significant decline in the step-down latency in passive avoidance apparatus in the dpep-treated group compared to the control groups. there was also a significant increase in the levels of oxidative stress following dpep administration as seen with the rise in the levels of malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, and a fall in glutathione and ferric reducing antioxidant power levels. conclusion: the present study demonstrated that dpep adversely affects learning and memory functions in mice by oxidative stress-mediated neuronal damage. these effects were attenuated by pretreatment with n-acetylcysteine.