Antioxidant effects of vitamin E on diclofenac-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats

Abstract

Drug-induced liver injury possesses a major clinical problem and has become a leading cause of acute liver failure and transplantation. Overstressed liver compromises its detoxification role, which may expose it to a variety of diseases and disorders. The present study was to determine whether pre-administration of various doses of vitamin E would have a protective effect against diclofenac-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar male rats.  Twenty-four albino male rats weighing 180-200g were divided equally into four groups. In control group rats were administrated with physiological saline 2ml/kg b.wt /intramuscularly. Another group with 50mg/kg b.wt/ intramuscularly/seven days diclofenac was used for inducing toxicity. In experimental groups, rats were administrated with different doses of vitamin E along with diclofenac sodium [200 and 400 IU orally and 50mg/kg b.wt/ intramuscularly/seven days]. Showed that there was a rapid increase in the levels of liver function test in diclofenac-treated group, which was significantly decreased after pre-treatment with high dose than low dose of vitamin E. Although the exact mechanism by with diclofenac injuries liver is not understood, some studies explain the toxicity by affecting cytochrome P 450, leading to the production of active metabolites.  Administration of different dose of diclofenac sodium induces severe adverse effects in the liver and kidney.