BIOCHEMICAL EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANTS ON LIPIDS AND LIVER-FUNCTION IN EXPERIMENTALLY-INDUCED LIVER-DAMAGE

Recent studies demonstrated the role of antioxidants in preventing org an damage caused by Free radicals. The present study was conducted to find out the modulatory effect of some antioxidants on lipid patterns in experimentally-induced liver damage. Rats chronically intoxicated w ith carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were used as a model of liver injury t erminating with fibrosis or cirrhosis. One hundred and sixty six albin o rats were classified into five groups: one served as a control group , the second was subjected to oral administration of CCl4, (200 mu L/1 00g body weight) twice a week; thr other three groups, in addition to CCl4, received oral doses of silymarin (30mg/kg). vitamin E (200 IU/kg ) and vitamin C (50 mg/kg) respectively. Ar the end of the experiment. the animals were killed. blood was collected sind liver was taken for histopathological examination. Liver Function tests, disturbed by CCl 4 were significantly modulated by antioxidants, and histopathological examination showed that antioxidants ameliorated the necrotic and fibr otic changes caused by CCl4. Treatment with antioxidants was also show n to modulate the toxic effect of CCl4 an the lipid profile and malond ialdehyde content. Administration of antioxidants could play an import ant role in prophylaxis against lipid peroxidation and consequently li ver fibrosis caused by free radicals.