Protective Effects of N-Acetylcysteine, Carvedilol, and Paricalcitol in a Rat Model of Peritoneal Fibrosis

Year 2026, Volume: 18 Issue: 1, 43 - 48, 24.03.2026

Kursad Onec , Özgür Ekinci , Özge Paşaoğlu , Kadriye Altok

https://doi.org/10.18521/ktd.1788811

https://izlik.org/JA95RL22RS

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the potential protective effects of paricalcitol, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and carvedilol in a rat model of chlorhexidine gluconate–induced peritoneal fibrosis.
Material and Methods: Thirty-six female Wistar albino rats were randomized into six groups (n=6 each). Peritoneal fibrosis was induced with daily intraperitoneal chlorhexidine gluconate injections for 21 days. Treatment groups received paricalcitol, NAC, or carvedilol, alone or in combination. Serum TGF-β1 levels and histopathological parameters (peritoneal thickness, fibrosis, inflammation, vascularization) were assessed.
Results: Serum TGF-β1 was significantly higher in the chlorhexidine group compared to controls (58.29 ± 4.40 vs. 49.06 ± 2.35 ng/mL, p<0.05). NAC significantly reduced TGF-β1 compared to chlorhexidine alone (46.76 ± 4.79 ng/mL, p<0.05). Peritoneal thickness was markedly increased in the chlorhexidine group (245 ± 27.3 µm vs. 22.3 ± 2.6 µm in controls, p<0.01) but attenuated by NAC (169.8 ± 30.8 µm, p<0.01) and carvedilol (146.5 ± 43.1 µm, p<0.01). Fibrosis and inflammation scores were also reduced in NAC and carvedilol groups (all p<0.05). Paricalcitol alone showed only partial and non-significant effects.
Conclusions: NAC demonstrated consistent antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects, while carvedilol provided moderate benefit and paricalcitol had limited efficacy. These findings suggest that antioxidant therapy, particularly NAC, may represent a potential strategy for preserving peritoneal membrane integrity, though further studies are warranted.

Keywords

Peritoneal fibrosis , peritoneal dialysis , n-acetylcysteine , carvedilol , paricalcitol

Ethical Statement

Ethical Approval: This study was conducted as a prospective, randomized, and controlled experimental investigation. Ethical approval was obtained from the Gazi University Animal Research Ethics Committee (Project No: 12081, Date: 25 September 2012, Approval Code: 141-18973). All procedures were performed in accordance with the ARRIVE guidelines, and every effort was made to minimize animal suffering throughout the experiment.

Supporting Institution

This research received no external funding.

Thanks

The authors do not wish to acknowledge any individual or institution.

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