The effect of trimetazidine on intrahepatic cholestasis caused by carmustine in rats

This study investigated the effect of trimetazidine (TMZ), known as an anti -oxidant agent, on intrahepatic cholestasis caused by Carmustine (BCNU) in rats. Rats were assigned into four groups. The first group (Saline) consist ed of 12 rats, which were injected with 2 ml/kg of saline intraperitoneally (IP) 48 h before the study. The second group (corn oil group, n = 15), whi ch were injected with 2 ml/kg of corn oil IP 48 h before the study. The thi rd group (BCNU group, n = 16), which were injected with 2 ml/kg of corn oil + 25 mg/kg BCNU IP 48 h before the study. The fourth group (TMZ group, n = 12), which were injected with 2.5 mg/kg per day of TMZ IF, administered at the same hour of the day as a single-dose. Twelve hour after the first dos e of TMZ, corn oil 2 ml/kg + BCNU 25 mg/kg IP were injected, and the rats w ere included in the study 48 h after the administration of corn oil + BCNU. Following a pentobarbital anaesthesia, abdomen was opened with incision, a cannula was placed into the channel of choledocus, and the amount of bile was measured per hour. Then intracardiac blood sample was taken, and conseq uently centrifuged to obtain the plasma. Finally, the rats were killed with cervical dislocation, and their livers were removed and weighted. In addit ion to histopathological examination of liver, the levels of malon dialdehy de (MDA), oxidised glutation (GSSG), and reduced glutation (GSH) were detec ted. Also the osmolality of bile and plasma was estimated in mOsm/kg. As a result, the biliary flow was seen to decrease in BCNU group (P < 0.005), bu t to be normal in TMZ group. The serum level of conjugated biluribin was hi gher in BCNU group compared to other groups (P < 0.05 for each). Although t he level of total glutation was lower (P < 0.005) in TMZ group, GSH/GSSG ra tio was normal. These findings suggest that TMZ has a protective effect on intrahepatic cholestasis caused by BCNU. <(c)> 2001 Elsevier Science Irelan d Ltd. All rights reserved.