Hepatoprotective effect of vitamins C and E against gasoline vapor-induced liver injury in male rats

Abstract

The protective effect of vitamins C and E against gasoline vapor-induced liver injury was investigated in rats. Liver injury was assessed from the activities of liver function diagnostic indices including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, total serum protein (TSP), albumin concentrations, and the histological architectures of the liver tissues of the experimental animals. The results showed that gasoline vapors caused a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease in TSP and albumin; an increase in serum ALT, AST, γ-GT, and ALP activities; and degenerative changes in the structural architecture of the liver tissues, i.e. an indication of hepatic injury, in comparison with the control group. The indicators of hepatic injury associated with exposure to gasoline vapor were reverted with either vitamin C or vitamin E administration, showing a protective effect of the vitamins against gasoline vapor-induced liver injury in rats. The hepatic injury reversion effect of vitamin E was observed to be insignificantly (P ≥ 0.05) higher than that of vitamin C. The results of our study suggest a protective effect of vitamin C and vitamin E against gasoline vapor-induced liver injury, with vitamin E as a better option. © Tübi̇tak.