Protective effects of quercetin on thioacetamide-induced acute liver damage and its related biochemical and pathological alterations

Abstract

Acute liver damage may be followed by biochemical, behavioral, and pathological alterations, which can end up in serious complications and even death. The aim of this study was to determine whether quercetin, a flavonoid compound, which is also known to have cell-protective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, has any protective impacts against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver damage in rats. Thirty-six Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three groups: group C1, normal rats; group C2, rats that received a single dose of TAA (350 mg/kg) intraperitoneally; and group E, rats that received a single dose of TAA (350 mg/ kg)+300 mg/kg quercetin intraperitoneally. At the end, liver enzymes and plasma ammonia (NH4) were measured, and pathological analysis of the liver carried out. The measured serological markers except for total bilirubin (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and NH4) showed a significant decrease in group E compared with group C2. The quercetin-treated group showed a significantly lower clinical grade of encephalopathy. Pathological findings showed a significantly lower piecemeal necrosis in group E compared with group C2. Moreover, there was a nonsignificant decrease in focal necrosis, apoptosis, and focal inflammation in group E compared with group C2. Portal inflammation scores were lower in group E than in group C2. Therefore, quercetin significantly affected the grade of liver damage, as group E had lower grades compared with group C2 (P<0.05). Overall, quercetin showed positive effects on both the liver injury and its related behavioral and biochemical changes.