Effects of acetylsalicylic acid on the levels of sulfane sulfur and non-protein sulfhydryl groups in mouse tissues

Abstract Background The study is focused on searching for the link between acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and sulfur metabolism. The present work aimed to investigate the effect of ASA on the level of the sulfane sulfur and non-protein thiol compounds (NPSH) in the liver and kidneys of mice. Methods The study was conducted on female albino Swiss mice weighing approximately 20 g. The experimental group was treated intraperitoneally (ip) with aspirin, lysine salt, at a dose of 10 mg (on pure aspirin basis)/kg for 5 days. The control group was treated ip with 0.9% NaCl in a volume of 0.2 ml for 5 days. The experimental and control mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on 5 th day of the experiment, 3 h after the last injection. The homogenates of livers and kidneys were next used for assaying the levels of NPSH and sulfane sulfur-containing compounds. Results The results indicate that in the liver of ASA-treated mice, the level of the cyanolysable sulfane sulfur decreased compared to the control group, whereas in the kidney, its level significantly increased. The opposite results in the liver and kidney were observed also for NPSH, namely ASA elicited a drop in NPSH level in the liver, and elevated it in the kidney. Conclusion The results of the present study suggest that ASA affects sulfur metabolism, in particular, renal and hepatic production of sulfane sulfur and NPSH in mice.