HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF FE-TPEN ON CARBON-TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED LIVER-INJURY IN RATS

Fe(II)-tetrakis-N,N,N',N'(2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (Fe-TPEN) c atalyzes the dismutation of superoxide, and blocks the toxic effect of paraquat on Escherichia coli growth and survival. We examined antioxi dative effects of Fe-TPEN on lipid peroxidation and t-butyl hydroperox ide induced cell damage. Fe-TPEN inhibited the FeSO4/H2O2 induced Lipi d perosidation in the rat liver homogenates with an IC50 value of 30.2 mu M, and protected Ac2F cell damage by t-butyl hydroperoxide in a do se-dependent manner (EC50 value is 2.6 mu M). Also, hepatoprotective e ffect of Fe-TPEN (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was investigated using CCl4 induced l iver injury in rats. This complex inhibited the elevation of serum ala nine aminotransferase (AST) and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) level s in CCl4 induced liver injuries, and improved submassive necrosis and fatty degeneration of the hepatocytes. Fe-TPEN also prevented the los s of total and nonprotein SH contents, glutathione peroxidase and glut athione-S-transferase activity in cytosol of rat liver. Although the e xact mechanism of action is not clear, antioxidative properties as,vei l as attenuation of hepatocellular defense systems by Fe-TPEN seem to be important on its potent hepatoprotective effect in CCl4-intoxicated rat.