22. The effects of finasteride on behavioral changes in thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy in rats

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of finasteride on behavioral characteristics of thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into following groups: 1. Control; 2. Thioacetamide-treated group, TAA (900 mg/kg); 3. Finasteride-treated group, FIN (150 mg/kg); 4. FIN + TAA group treated with FIN and TAA. Daily doses of TAA (300 mg/kg) and FIN (50 mg/kg) were injected during three subsequent days intraperitoneally and every dose of FIN was administered 2 h before TAA in FIN + TAA group. Behavioral changes were followed 0, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h after treatment. Results: While corneal, withdrawal, grasping and righting reflex were significantly diminished in TAA vs. control group ( p p p p Conclusion: Finasteride pretreatment improves motor activity and prevents development of coma in TAA-induced HE in rats.