HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF LIV-52 AND ITS INDIRECT INFLUENCE ON THE REGULATION OF THYROID-HORMONES IN RAT-LIVER TOXICITY INDUCED BY CARBON-TETRACHLORIDE

This study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of Liv- 52, a herbal formulation, on various serum and liver marker enzymes, l ipid peroxidation and histological changes in the liver of male albino rats suffering long-term carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) poisoning. It wa s observed that the activities of serum marker enzymes, hepatic enzyme s and NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation were significantly elevated a fter treatment with CCl4. However, in rats given Liv-52 at the same ti me as CCl4, the levels of all the marker enzymes were closer to those found in control animals. A similar trend was seen in the case of lipi d peroxidation after Liv-52 treatment. CCl4 alone caused severe liver damage, but when Liv-52 was simultaneously given, there was much less effect on the structure of the organ. Circulating T-3 and T-4 concentr ations were also determined after 6 weeks of simultaneous treatment wi th Liv-52 and CCl4. Concentrations of T-3 were significantly lowered a fter CCl4 treatment alone, but Liv-52 administration together with CCl 4 resulted in maintenance of the T-3 activity within normal limits, th us suggesting indirect beneficial effects of Liv-52 on the regulation of thyroid hormone concentrations.