Protective effect of vitamin E from cisplatin induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats

Cisplatin is a potent drug which is commonly used in treatment of many tumors; however, its high toxicity limits its use. This work was undertaken to study the histo-chemical and ultrastructural changes in the liver of adult albino rats after injection of cisplatin alone and in association with vitamin E. In rats administrated cisplatin alone, the histochemical study showed a significant decrease in both Periodic acid Schiff's reaction and succinic dehydrogenase activity accompanied with an elevation of acid phosphatase reaction in hepatocytes all over the hepatic lobules. In respect to these light microscopic observations, concomitant electron microscopic study revealed deficiency of glycogen aggregates, mitochondrial changes including; decrease in the number, deformity in shape, and loss of some aristae, beside an increase in the number of lysosomes. In addition, nuclear chromatin condensation and widening of the perinuclear cisternae were commonly observed. On the other hand, administration of vitamin E prior to cisplatin led to relief of these histochemical and ultrastructural abnormalities probably owing to the protective anti-oxidant nature of vitamin E. It would be concluded that the use of cisplatin drug alone is highly hepatotoxic, so it is better to prescribe Vitamin-E together with cisplatin to limit its toxic effects