PREVENTION OF LIVER CIRRHOSIS BY BETA-CAROTENE
*Syeda Nuzhat Fatima Zaidi and Tabassum Mahboob
ABSTRACT
Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Beta
carotene supplementation on different biochemical parameters in
thioacetamide induced cirrhotic rats. Methods: For this purpose 24
male Albino wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=6). Group I,
remained healthy control rats, Group II, received thioacetamide (at a
dose of 200mg/kg b.w, i.p, for 12 weeks, twice a week) in first phase
and saline in second phase, Group III, received thioacetamide
(200mg/kg b.w, i.p for 12 weeks, twice a week) in first phase and
silymarin (orally at a dosage of 200mg/kg b.w, twice a week, for 8
weeks) in second phase and Group IV, received silymarin (orally at a
dosage of 200mg/kg b.w, twice a week, for 8 weeks) in first phase and
saline in second phase. Biochemical analysis was evaluated by total
and direct bilirubin (Sherlock, 1951), liver specific enzymes ( Retiman
and Franhel, 1957) , antioxidant enzymes[SOD (Kono et al., 1978),Catalase (Sinha et al.,
1979),Glutathione reductase (Calberg and Mannervik, 1985), and MDA (Okhawa et al.,
1979)] and plasma and intraerythrocyte sodium and potassium (Tabssum et al., 1996).
Results: Marked increase in total and direct bilirubin and ALT activity was the indicative
markers of liver cirrhosis while reduced antioxidant activity (SOD and GSH) and increased
MDA and Catalase levels and disturbed electrolyte homeostasis were observed in cirrhotic
group. Silymarin supplementation markedly reduced total bilirubin and ALT activity and
restored the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GSH), MDA and catalase activity and electrolyte
homeostasis. Conclusion: These results indicate that silymarin successively attenuates the thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis.
Keywords: Liver cirrhosis, Silymarin, Thioacetamide, Liver enzymes, SOD, GSH, Catalase, MDA, Plasma sodium and potassium, Intraerythrocyte sodium and potassium.
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