Abstract of research

BIOCHEMICAL ROLE OF FOLIC ACID AND Α-TOCOPHEROL IN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED LIVER CIRRHOSIS IN WHITE ALBINO RATS.

Afaf. A .El-Dosoky 1; Mona Farouk 2; and Abdelmaqsud M.A.1

Abstract

Cirrhosis, the end stage of progressive fibrosis, is a major health problem worldwide which is caused by injury to the liver by a variety of etiological factors, It characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins (including collagens I, III and IV), and distortion of the hepatic architecture. This study was designed to investigate the possible protective effect of folic acid and α-tocopherol on liver cirrhosis induced experimentally via administration of CCL4 (100 mg/Kg b.w.) 50% in olive oil as a vehicle using orally three times per week for 20th weeks. In ddition, biochemical parameters such as MDA, hepatic antioxidants, cytokines and hepatic histopathology were performed. The obtained results revealed a significant elevations in γGT, AST, ALT, ALP, total and direct Bilirubin, lipid peroxidation (MDA), and cytokines. However a significant reduction in albumin, total protein, reduced Glutathione, Catalase and SOD in CCl4 treated rats compared to the control group that indicated the hepatotoxic and prooxidant effect of CCl4. Administration of folic acid and α-tocopherol declared a protective effect against CCl4 induced oxidative hepatotoxicity as indicated by significant improvement in biochemical parametres, oxidative stress marker, cytokines and histopathological picture of liver.