Comparing the protective effects of L-carnitine and Silybum marianum aqueous extract after diazinon-induced hepatotoxicity in male rat liver

Abstract

Diazinon (DZN), as an organophosphorus pesticide (OP), induces oxidative stress leading to the generation of free radicals and causes some pathological changes in the body. The purpose of this study was to assess the protective effects of L-carnitine (LC) and Silybum marianum aqueous extract (SMAE) against DZN-induced hepatotoxicity in male rat liver. Rats were assigned in 9 groups (n=8) including control, sham, DZN15, SMAE100, LC300, SMAE100+LC300, DZN15+LC300, DZN15+SMAE100 and DZN15+SMAE100+LC300. Thirty days after the treatment by oral gavage, blood samples were taken and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), Albumin (Alb) and total protein (TP) were measured using photometric method. Besides, the livers of rats were removed and evaluated histopathologically. The DZN15 treatment significantly increased the AST, ALT, ALP and GGT levels (p<0.05) and conversely decreased the Alb and TP levels (p<0.05). Moreover, administration of the DZN15 resulted in lymphocytic inflammation, congestion, apoptosis hepatocyte, and lesser sinusoids space. However, the DZN15+SMAE100+LC300 treatment did not change the ALT, ALP, GGT, Alb and TP levels (p˃0.05) but increased the AST level significantly compared to the control (p<0.05). Besides that, lesser structural alterations and improvement in the liver tissue were observed. The findings suggest that co-administration of SMAE and LC could reduce DZN-induced hepatic tissue damages and improve the hepatic biochemical parameters in rats.