Protective effects of l-carnitine, n-acetylcysteine and genistein in experimental liver fibrosis

Hepatic fibrosis is a reversible wound-healing response characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix following liver injury. In this study, we aimed to investigate protective effects and antioxidant features of L-carnitine, Nacetylcysteine and genistein in liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The study was randomized designed upon eight groups consisted from 10 rats. Groups were designed as control group, CCl4, L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine, genistein, CCl4 and L-carnitine, CCl4 and N-acetylcysteine, CCl4 and genistein. At the end of the six weeks, euthanasia was performed by decapitation, and blood and liver tissue specimens were obtained. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartat aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, bilirubins, complete blood counts, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, tumor necrosis factor- ? (TNF-?), platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in blood samples were studied. The scores of hepatic steatosis, necrosis, inflammation, fibrosis, expression of ?-smooth muscle actin and glutathione in liver tissue samples were evaluated. In blood samples, although ALT and AST values in the group given CCl4were found significantly high according to all other groups (p<0,05). There was no significantly difference between the control group and the groups given CCl4combined with L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein (p>0,05). There was positively significant difference between CCl4 group and the groups which Lcarnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein added to CCl4 in the aspect of TNF-?, PDGF-BB and IL-6 (p<0,05). For the balance of oxidant/antioxidant status, the positive effects of N-acetylcysteine and genistein via increasing TAS were seen. About the histopathologically inspection, N-acetylcysteine and genistein had significant positive effects upon the necrosis and fibrosis. In conclusion, L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein indicated significant protective effects in liver fibrosis induced by CCl4. The studies about the usage of these agents in potential curative and preventive therapy of liver fibrosis are required increasingly. viKey Words: Carbon tetrachloride, Genistein, L-Carnitine, Liver fibrosis, Nacetylcysteine