Abstract
Background: Hepatitis is one of the major public health problems worldwide. This study was designed to evaluate the potential hepatoprotective effects of lycopene (Lyco) and selenium (Se) against galactosamine (Gala) induced hepatitis in rats.
Materials and Methods: Seventy five (75) male albino rats were grouped into five of fifteen rats each. GP 1: Control. Animals in Groups (II-V) were injected i. p with Gala (300 mg/kg b. w daily) for 5 days. GP III: Rats were orally pretreated with Lyco (15 mg/kg b. w). GP IV: rats were pretreated orally sodium selenite (0.1 mg/kg b. w) by gavages. GP V: Rats treated with both Lyco and Se. The treatment was continuous for 30 days.
Results: The levels of serum inflammatory markers interleukine-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor TNF-a, nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdhyde (MDA) were markedly elevated in rats injected with Gala compared with control group. Administration of Lyco combined with Se reversed these effects and significantly reduced the levels of these markers (p<0.001) compared with Gala. In addition, combined treatment resulted in a significant improvement in antioxidant activities as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase compared with untreated. Non-significant changes were recorded in the activities of UDP-glucuronyltransferase and sulphotransferase in rats injected with Gala but the activity of glutathione S-transferase was significantly elevated (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The combined effect of Lyco + Se showed a significant hepatoprotective action against Gala induced hepatitis in rats through inhibition of release of inflammatory mediators and enhancement of antioxidant capacity.