The comparison of the effects of hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy, silybum marinaum, propofol, N-acetylcysteine and vitamin E on liver.

AIM: We investigated the comparison of the effects of N-acetylcysteine, silybum marinaum, propofol, and vitamin E on liver hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy. METHOD: Forty-eight rats were randomized into 6 different groups of the same age and weight. After partial hepatectomy, all animals were resuscitated with 5 ml of isotonic sodium chloride solution administered subcutaneously while group 1 (sham) did not receive any injection, group 2 (control) received serum physiologic intraperitoneally, group 3 received 25 mg /kg of propofol intraperitoneally, group 4 received 20 mg/kg of N-acetylcysteine intraperitoneally, group 5 received 400 mg/kg of vitamin E intraperitoneally, and group 6 received 10 mg/kg of silybum intraperitoneally. None of these groups were given antibitotics. On the third day, a half of the rats, and on the seventh day, the other half of rats were reoperated and sacrificed. RESULTS: Blood samples were used for biochemical parameters (AST, ALT). Ki-67 proliferation index was used for histopathologic parameters. A statistically meaningful difference was detected in silybum, vitamin E, N-acetylcysteine, and propofol groups for AST, ALT levels when compared to control and sham groups (p<0.05). Ki-67 regeneration proliferation index of all groups, which were given agents on the third and seventh days were statistically higher than the control and sham groups (p<0.05). During the evaluation, AST, ALT, Ki-67, Ro (regeneration value) levels of silybum group displayed a statistically significant difference according to other groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our experimental study indicates that hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy was meaningful and significant in groups with intraperitoneal administration of silybum marinaum,vitamin E, N-acetylcysteine and propofol. Hepatic regeneration rate was particularly higher in silybum group compared to other groups (Fig. 16, Ref. 26).

Protective effects of Gingko biloba on thioacetamide-induced fulminant hepatic failure in rats.

Gingko biloba (GB) has antioxidant and platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonistic effects. We investigated the protective effects of GB on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced fulminant hepatic failure in rats. Fulminant hepatic failure was induced in treatment groups by three intraperitoneal (ip) injections of TAA (350 mg/kg) at 24-hour intervals. Treatments with GB (100 mg/kg per day, orally) and N-acetylcysteine (20 mg/kg twice daily, sc) were initiated 48 hours prior to TAA administration. The liver was removed for histopathological examinations. Serum and liver thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) levels were measured for assessment of oxidative stress. Liver necrosis and inflammation scores and serum and liver TBARS levels were significantly higher in the TAA group compared to the control group (P < 0.001, < 0.001, 0.001, < 0.001, respectively). Liver necrosis and inflammation scores and liver TBARS levels were significantly lower in the GB group compared to the TAA group (P < 0.001, < 0.001 and 0.01, respectively). GB ameliorated hepatic damage in TAA-induced fulminant hepatic failure. This may be due to the free radical-scavenging effects of GB.