Biology and Medicine

Abstract

Anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective effect of beta-carotene on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rats

AO Morakinyo, BO Iranloye, OT Oyelowo, J Nnaji

The role of oxidative stress on the hepatic damage caused by acetaminophen (APAP) and the possible protective effects of beta-carotene supplement against this damage were investigated. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, APAP, beta-carotene, and APAP1beta-carotene. The control group received distilled water while APAP (750 mg/kg body weight), beta-carotene (10 mg/kg/day body weight) (BC) were administered to the other groups accordingly. The serum glutamate oxalate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) as well as serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) levels of APAP group were significantly increased when compared with the control (p , 0.01). This was ameliorated by the administration of beta-carotene. The SOD, GSH, and CAT levels of the APAP groups which were significantly decreased (p , 0.001) when compared with the control. There was a boost in the antioxidant level after the application of BC. The reverse was the case in the malondialdehyde (MDA) activity. The study showed that BC will ameliorate the damaging effect of APAP on liver tissues.