RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: NLRP3 inflammasome is described in many pathological conditions and is also involved in drug induced liver injury. AIM OF THE WORK: To investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in liver injury induced by chronic alcohol and/or atorvastatin ingestion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were used. They were divided into 5 groups: (I) control naïve (II) Alcoholic: given ethanol 8 g/kg/day, p.o (III) Atorvastatin: given atorvastatin 10 mg/kg/day, p.o. (IV) Alcoholic + atorvastatin (V) Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA): given ASA 10 mg/kg/day, p.o together with alcohol and atorvastatin. Isolated perfused liver, biochemical and histological studies were done. RESULTS: Atorvastatin and alcohol induced liver inflammation with increasing the expression of NLRP3, IL-1ß and caspase-8 immune-reaction. Atorvastatin and alcohol decreased the reduced form of glutathione in hepatic tissues and induced insulin resistance. ASA administration alleviated the hepatotoxic effects of alcohol and atorvastatin to a significant extent. CONCLUSIONS: Acetylsalicylic acid alleviated the hepatotoxic effects of alcohol and atorvastatin through decreasing the production of NLRP3 inflammasome in rats' liver.
