Protective effects of L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein in an experimental model of liver fibrosis.
OBJECTIVE
Liver fibrosis is a reversible wound-healing response that occurs following liver injury. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein in liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). In addition, the effects of these agents were compared in the same study.


METHODS
In this study, rats were randomly allocated into 8 groups, consisting of 10 rats each, as follows: a control group, CCl4, L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine, genistein, CCl4 and L-carnitine, CCl4 and N-acetylcysteine, and CCl4 and genistein. At the end of 6 weeks, blood and liver tissue specimens were collected. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT); aspartate aminotransferase (AST); complete blood count, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB); interleukin-6 (IL-6); liver glutathione level; oxidant/antioxidant status; scores of hepatic steatosis, necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis; and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin were studied.


RESULTS
Although the ALT and AST values in the group administered CCl4 were significantly higher than in all the other groups (P<0.05), there was no significant difference between the control group and the groups administered CCl4 combined with L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the levels of TNF-α, PDGF-BB and IL-6 (P<0.05) between the CCl4 group and the groups with L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein added to CCl4. N-acetylcysteine and genistein had positive effects on the oxidant/antioxidant status and on liver necrosis and fibrosis scores.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study, L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein showed significant protective effects in liver fibrosis induced by CCl4.
Yuzuncu Yil University, Dursun Odabas Medical Center, Pediatric Gastroentrology, Van, Turkey. Electronic address: kaandemiroren@yahoo.com.
Kaan
K
Demiroren
Yuzuncu Yil University, Dursun Odabas Medical Center, Pediatric Gastroentrology, Van, Turkey.
Yasar
Y
Dogan
Yuzuncu Yil University, Dursun Odabas Medical Center, Pediatric Gastroentrology, Van, Turkey.
Halil
H
Kocamaz
Yuzuncu Yil University, Dursun Odabas Medical Center, Pediatric Gastroentrology, Van, Turkey.
Ibrahim Hanifi
IH
Ozercan
Yuzuncu Yil University, Dursun Odabas Medical Center, Pediatric Gastroentrology, Van, Turkey.
Selcuk
S
Ilhan
Yuzuncu Yil University, Dursun Odabas Medical Center, Pediatric Gastroentrology, Van, Turkey.
Bilal
B
Ustundag
Yuzuncu Yil University, Dursun Odabas Medical Center, Pediatric Gastroentrology, Van, Turkey.
Ibrahim Halil
IH
Bahcecioglu
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002331:Carnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019833:Genistein / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D019833:Genistein; D002331:Carnitine; D000111:Acetylcysteine