Abstract: AIM:To reproduce an experimental model of alcoholic in rats and to investigate the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine on alcoholic liver disease. METHODS:70 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group (gastric infusion and intraperitoneal injection with normal saline), alcohol group (gastric infused with 55% of ethanol once a day with a dose of 8. 8 g/kg for 10 weeks), NAC groups(gastric infusion with alcohol same as in the alcohol group and intraperitoneal injection with NAC with different doses), positive control group (gastric infusion with alcohol same as in the alcohol goup and intraperitoneal injection with tiopronin of 16. 5 mg/kg).At the end of 6 weeks blood samples were collected through caudal vein. At the end of 10 weeks the rats were sacrificed then blood samples were collected. Liver samples were obtained for detection and for routine histological examination. RESULTS:(1) The levels of the two transaminases(ALT&AST), and Malondialdehyde were elevated in alcohol group, and the Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels were lower than control group. The difference is significant. NAC significantly mitigated the increase of ALT、 MDA、 AST, and significantly elevated GSH-PX, SOD induced by the alcohol. (2)Histological changes of the liver injury that piecemeal or focal necrosis of hepatocytes was present in the centrilobular area. In the NAC and positive control group, the severity of the histological changes was significantly milder. CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that N-acetylcysteine protected from alcoholic liver disease.

Key words: liver disease, alcoholic, N-acetylcysteine, rat