The Protective Effect of Chitosan against Acute Oxi dative Liver Injuries Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride

Abstract

Carbon tetrachloride is an organic solvent known fo r its hepatotoxicity. Its effects are due to CCl 3 · radical production. Chitosan is a natural antioxid ant obtained from the exoskeleton of the crustaceous; it protects the liver against the oxidative stress. We used 40 female Wistar rats (weight 230±25 gr.) divided into 4 equal groups. Gr oup I was the control one; Group II received a unique dose of 3 ml/kg CCl 4 by gavage; Group III received daily 5 mg/kg vitami n E i.m. for a week before the CCl 4 administration. Group IV received daily 3 mg/kg ch itosan i.p. for a week before the CCl 4 administration. 24 hours after the CCl 4 have been given, blood and liver tissue samples we re taken. We assessed the oxidative stress markers (ma londialdehyde) and antioxidant defence markers (hydrogen donors' capacity and reduced glutathione) both from serum and liver tissue. CCl 4 acute administration induced oxidative stress especially in the liver tissue (malondialdehyde level increase s, while glutathione level decreased). However, for th e animals that have been protected with chitosan, the oxidative stress markers had almost similar val ues to those of the control group. The histopathological findings confirm the results. The refore, chitosan has a protective effect against li ver injuries induced by acute exposure to CCl 4.