Examination of the effects of carvacrol on asprosin and subfatin immune reactivity in liver tissue of rats exposed to formaldehyde

Toxic doses of formaldehyde (FA) in tissues cause oxidative damage and impairs energy metabolism. Asprosin (ASP) and subfatin (SUB) synthesized from adipose tissue are adipokines that are effective in the regulation of energy metabolism. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of carvacrol (CAR), which is known as an antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties immunohistochemically and biochemically in the ASP and SUB in rats exposed to FA. 42 Wistar Albino male rats were divided into groups as Group I (Control), Group II (CAR-20), Group III (CAR-40), Group IV (FA), Group V (FA+ CAR-20) and Group VI (FA+CAR-40). The groups receiving FA were administered with 10 ppm (8 hours/day, 5 days/week) by inhalation while the groups receiving CAR were administered via i.p. (intraperitoneal injection) as two different doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg/48 hours for 4 weeks. ASP, SUB, total oxidant (TOS), and total antioxidant (TAS) levels in blood and liver tissue samples were measured by using ELISA method while ASP and SUB immunoreactivities were determined by using immunohistochemical method and the number of apoptotic cells was determined by using TUNEL method. Exposure of FA in the liver tissues resulted in severe oxidative damage. It enhanced the number of apoptotic cells while causing in the increment of the TOS level. The applied 20 mg/kg of CAR in liver tissue resulted in the decrement of the number of apoptotic cells and TOS levels. However, CAR at a dose of 40 mg/kg resulted in the increment of apoptosis when compared with the control group. Although 40 mg/kg CAR and FA applied together resulted in the decrement of TOS value in liver tissue when compared with the FA group while when applied alone TOS value increased when compared with the control group. Also, FA exposure causes a decrement of ASP and SUB immunoreactivities level in liver tissue and in plasma. However, these values were reversed by addition CAR. In view of the present findings, it is suggested that FA disrupts energy metabolism and CAR ameliorates the destructive effects of FA when used appropriate doses, while it might be harmful at high doses.