Tocotrienol and Liver Functions and its Hepatoprotetive Effects Against CCL4 Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats.

Dr. Abeer F. Mostafa; Dr. Mohammed Adel

Volume : VI, Issue : IV, April - 2016

Tocotrienol and Liver Functions and its Hepatoprotetive Effects Against CCL4 Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats.

Dr. Abeer F. Mostafa, Dr. Mohammed Adel

Abstract :

Background: Although hepatic problems are responsible for a significant number of liver transplantations and deaths in Egypt, successful therapeutic options are limited and there is a great demand for the development of new effective treatment. So, the aim of this in vivo study is to evaluate the role of tocotrienol on liver functions. We also evaluate its hepatoprotetive effects against CCl4 induced hepatic fiosis in rats and try to explore the underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were used in this study; rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, tocotrienol group, CCl4 group, treatment group, and protection group. At the end of experimentation blood samples were collected and centrifuged then serum was used to asses liver functions in different groups. Liver was dissected and specimens were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to examine its morphology. Masson‘s tichrome stain was used to assess fiosis. Measurement of oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes, platelet–derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)–β in liver homogenate were performed. Results: Histopathological analysis demonstrated that CCl4 injection resulted in hepatic steatosis, necrosis, and fiosis. Tocotrienol administration, especially in protection group, significantly reduced the histopathological changes induced by CCl4. Also, tocotrienol significantly improve the deterioration in liver functions induced by CCl4 injection. Moreover, tocotrienol significantly reduced the elevation induced by CCl4 in oxidative stress biomarkers, hepatic PDGF, and TGF–β. Conclusion: Tocotrienol supplementation can have beneficial effects on liver functions and an effective role for the prevention of CCl4 induced hepatic damage in rats through increasing the activity of the antioxidant defense system, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and inhibition of HSC activation.