Potential hepato-protective effect of α-tocopherol or simvastatin in aged rats.
BACKGROUND
The effect of α-tocopherol or simvastatin treatment on antioxidant defense in liver of old rats was investigated.


METHODS
Endogenous thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total nitrite/nitrate (NO(2)/NO(3)) levels as well as non-enzymatic glutathione (GSH) and enzymatic antioxidants [glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) activities] were determined in the livers of young (3 months), aged (22 months), α-tocopherol- or simvastatin-treated aged rats. Serum lipid profile and liver function parameters were also assessed in these 4 groups.


RESULTS
Both α-tocopherol and simvastatin almost equally restored the age-induced changes in liver TBARS and CAT activity, serum aspartate aminotransferase (GOT), alanine aminotransferase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). α-Tocopherol, but not simvastatin, tended to restore GST and GPX activities in livers of aged rats. Simvastatin, on the other hand, counteracted age-induced increases in serum cholesterol, TG, LDL, total hepatic NO(2)/NO(3) level, and preserved a normal liver function during aging.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, either drug may be beneficial, in spite of a mechanistic difference in the antioxidant effect of both of them, in alleviating age-induced liver injury.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, P.Box: 21521, Azarita, Alexandria, Egypt. meeshoo7@hotmail.com
Mai M
MM
Helmy
D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D008055:Lipids; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D019821:Simvastatin; D002374:Catalase; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol