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Comparison of the effects of melatonin and pentoxifylline on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in mice

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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine whether along and in combination melatonin (MLT) and pentoxlfylline (PTX) exerted beneficial effects on histopathological changes and changes in oxidant and antioxidant systems in liver caused by CCl4-induced liver toxicity in mice. Mice were randomly divided into six groups: control, olive oil, toxicity, MLT, PTX, PTX+MLT. MLT 10 mg/kg/day, PTX 50 mg/kg/day, and the same individual doses in MLT+PTX combination were given intraperitoneally to mice for 7 day. CCl4 0.8 mg/kg/day was administered on the 4th, 5th, and 6th days of therapy in all groups except the control and olive oil groups. In the toxicity group, increased concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and decreased glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities were found compared to the control and olive oil groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the toxicity group, both the PTX group and the PTX+MLT group had decreased MDA and LOOH levels, whereas MLT reduced only LOOH levels (p < 0.01). MLT, PTX and MLT+PTX increased the GSH-Px and CAT activities compared to the toxicity group (p < 0.05). MLT increased CAT activity compared to PTX and MLT+PTX (p < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase enzyme activity did not change in any group (p < 0.05). Histopatholically, ballooning, degeneration, apoptosis, and bridging necrosis were seen in the toxicity group. MLT, PTX and MLT+PTX decreased the apoptosis and bridging necrosis (p < 0.01), and PTX and MLT+PTX decreased balloon degeneration compared to the toxicity group (p < 0.01). These results indicate that administration of PTX and MLT alone and in combination before onset of liver toxicity might prevent the oxidative damage by reducing oxidative stress and increasing antioxidant enzyme levels.

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Abbreviations

ALT:

alanine aminotransferase

AST:

apartate aminotransferase

CCl4 :

carbon tetrachloride

HE:

hematoxylin–eosin

LDH:

lactate dehydrogenase

LOOH:

lipid hydroperoxides

MDA:

malondialdehyde

MLT:

melatonin

PTX:

pentoxifylline

TBARS:

thibarbituric acid-reactive substances

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Türkiye

    T. Noyan, U. Kömüroğlu & M. R. Şekeroğlu

  2. Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Türkiye

    İ. Bayram

  3. Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Biyokimya Bölümü Van, 65200, Türkiye

    T. Noyan

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  1. T. Noyan
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  2. U. Kömüroğlu
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  4. M. R. Şekeroğlu
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Correspondence to T. Noyan.

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Noyan, T., Kömüroğlu, U., Bayram, İ. et al. Comparison of the effects of melatonin and pentoxifylline on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in mice. Cell Biol Toxicol 22, 381–391 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10565-006-0019-y

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