Effect of N-acetylcysteine on apoptosis and autophagy of macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Renchun Su; Min Qiao; Tianhui Gao; Jingtao Gao; Lihui Nie; Shanshan Li; Yufeng Wang; Yu Pang; Qi Li

doi:10.3855/jidc.19372

Effect of N-acetylcysteine on apoptosis and autophagy of macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Authors

Renchun Su Department of Digestive Oncology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University / First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9457-6817
Min Qiao Department of Gastroenterology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliate of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
Tianhui Gao Department of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Jingtao Gao Clinical Center on Tuberculosis Control, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University/Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
Lihui Nie Department of Tuberculosis, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University / Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
Shanshan Li Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University/Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
Yufeng Wang Clinical Center on Tuberculosis Control, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University/Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
Yu Pang Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University/Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
Qi Li Clinical Center on Tuberculosis Control, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University/Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6165-2489

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.19372

Keywords:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, N-acetylcysteine, macrophages, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on oxidative stress (OS), intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) load, apoptosis, and autophagy of macrophages infected with H37Rv MTB. In addition, we explored the possible mechanism of action, to provide a rationale for the use of NAC in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Methodology: We divided THP-1 macrophages into four groups: control, control + NAC, H37Rv, and H37Rv + NAC. OS, apoptosis, autophagy and intracellular MTB colony-forming unit (CFU) indexes were measured at 0, 4, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. Then, various indicator changes were systematically compared.

Results: The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), apoptosis rate, and LC3II/ β-actin ratio in the H37Rv group increased at 4 hours and reached their peak at 48 hours. The ROS and MDA in the H37Rv + NAC group were lower than those in the H37Rv group. CFU in the H37Rv + NAC group increased at 24 hours and decreased at 48 hours after treatment with NAC, relative to the H37Rv group. In addition, the H37Rv + NAC group showed a decrease in LC3II/β-actin ratio 48 hours after NAC treatment, compared to the H37Rv group.

Conclusions: MTB infection can lead to an increase in macrophage OS, apoptosis, and autophagy levels. However, after treatment with NAC, the growth of MTB in macrophages is inhibited, and OS and autophagy levels are reduced. The antioxidant effect and inhibitory effect of NAC on MTB are related to MTB-mediated macrophage OS and autophagy.

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Published

2024-10-31

How to Cite

Su R, Qiao M, Gao T, Gao J, Nie L, Li S, Wang Y, Pang Y, Li Q (2024) Effect of N-acetylcysteine on apoptosis and autophagy of macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Infect Dev Ctries 18:1566–1575. doi: 10.3855/jidc.19372

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Issue

Vol. 18 No. 10: October 2024

Section

Original Articles

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