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Abstract Paracetarnol (acetaminophen) is a widely used analgesic and antipyretic agent, which is safe when taken in therapeutic doses. The hepatotoxicity of paracetamol is believed to be mediated by a highly reactive metabolite N-acetyl-P-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) which can react and bind to cellular macromolecules causing cell injury ultimately 9 .leading to cell death. A novel pathway of paracetamol toxicity is its potential influence on the integrity of genomic DNA in a Cat’ dependent manner leading to cell death. In addition to necrosis caused by paracetamol toxicity, it was found that it could produce apoptosis, which is preceded by a raised level of cytosolic cat’ and a breakdown in the organization of DNA folding. |