The therapeutic effect of caffeic acid Phenethyl Ester on liver injury that induced by paracetamol toxicity in rats

The aim of this study is to determine whether therapeutic effect of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) on liver injury that induced by paracetamol toxicity and to investigate the CAPE?s effect on the classically used N-acetylcysteine (NAC) therapy by biochemical and histopathological examination.In our study fiftyfour Wistar Albino rats were divided into seven groups; there were six rats in Sham group and eight rats in each of other groups. The study was terminated at twenty fourth hour in all groups. Sham group was not toxicated by paracetamol and anything was not given. In group II only 50 µmol/kg CAPE (50 µmol/kg CAPE was dissolved in 2 mL of 70% ethyl alcohol) was immediately injected intramuscularly. In group III only NAC therapy was applied intraperitoneally; first dose was 140 mg/kg and other 70 mg/kg six doses were apllied at four hours intervals. In group IV paracetamol toxication was inducted by given 1 gr/kg paracetamol orally and thirty minutes after toxication, at the same dose with CAPE, (2 ml/kg) %70 ethyl alcohol and at the same dose with NAC, saline was applied. In group V thirty minutes after inducted paracetamol toxication, CAPE and at the same dose with NAC, saline was given. In group VI thirty minutes after paracetamol toxication, NAC and at the same dose with CAPE, (2 ml/kg) %70 ethyl alcohol was given. In group VII thirty minutes after paracetamol toxication, NAC and CAPE was given. In all groups after twenty four hours from the beginning of the study, blood samples were collected for assessment of Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Rreduced Glutathione (GSH), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), Catalase, Carotene, Vitamin C, Retinol and Ceruloplasmin values. Additionally hepatic tissue samples were taken for assessment of GSH, MDA values and histopathological examination.The first three groups were compared and the last four groups were compared between themselves seperately. In CAPE and NAC therapy groups increased liver function tests (AST, ALT) and MDA values that in toxicity group has been found significantly decreased (p<0.05) and GSH values that decreased in toxicity group found more decreased. Analyzing the tissue levels, GSH values that decreased in toxicity group has been found increased and MDA values that increased in toxicity group has been found decreased in CAPE and NAC therapy group. SOD and GPx values has been found increased in toxicity group (p<0.05) but in therapy groups SOD values has not been changed, GPx values were found more increased. Catalase, Carotene, Vitamin C, Retinol values has been found decreased in toxicity group, this decreased values were found increased in CAPE and NAC therapy group without being statistically significant (p>0.05). Blood Ceruloplasmin levels were found significantly increased in toxicity group and this values were found decreased with CAPE and NAC therapy without being statistically significant (p>0.05). Among all theraphy groups (CAPE, NAC, CAPE+NAC) statistically significant difference was not found on biochemical parameters (p>0.05). In histopathologic examination, pathologic changes seen in toxicity group has been decreased significiantly in CAPE and NAC theraphy groups (p<0.05). But among all theraphy groups (CAPE, NAC, CAPE+NAC) there was no statistically significant histopathologic difference determined (p>0.05).Consequently; it has been shown that CAPE has a treatable effect on liver injury that induced by paracetamol toxicity histopathologically and biochemically. But superiority of CAPE theraphy was not determined significiant to classically used N-acetylcysteine (NAC) therapy and combined therapy. However its thought, there is need for more study using different doses and duration of CAPE theraphy to determinate the definitive efficiency of theraphy.Key Words: Antioxidants, Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester, Liver İnjury, N-acetylcysteine, Paracetamol Toxicity.