The protective effects of PMC against chronic carbon tetrachloride-inducedhepatotoxicity in vivo

In this study, PMC (2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-hydroxychromane), a derivative of alpha -tocopherol, dose-dependently (1-10 mg/kg) ameliorated the increas e in plasma aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) and alanine aminotransferase ( GPT) levels caused by chronic repeated carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxica tion in mice. Moreover, PMC significantly improved the CCl4-induced increas e of hepatic glutathione peroxidase, reductase, and superoxide dismutase ac tivities. PMC also restored the decrement in the glutathione content of hep atic tissues in CCl4-intoxicated mice. Furthermore, it also dose-dependentl y inhibited the formation of lipid peroxidative products during carbon tetr achloride treatment. Histopathological changes of hepatic lesions induced b y carbon tetrachloride were significantly improved by treatment with PMC in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that PMC exerts effective p rotection in chronic chemical-induced hepatic injury in vivo.