Thioacetamide (TAA) has been used in development of animal models of acute
hepatic encephalopathy (AHE). This experimental study was designed to evaluate effects of
oral administration of
vitamin C,
vitamin E and their combination on liver and brain
enzymes and their histologic and ultrastructure changes. Eighty Wistar rats were included and divided into five groups (16 each). Group 1 (control) received saline once intraperitoneally (IP) then administered orally saline and
corn oil for 3 days. Group 2 [hepatotoxic (TAA)] were received TAA (300mg/kg) once intraperitoneally (IP). Group 3 (
vitamin C and TAA) received TAA (300mg/kg) once intraperitoneally (IP) and then administered orally
vitamin C (100mg/kg) daily for 3 days. Group 4 (
vitamin E and TAA) received TAA (300mg/kg) once intraperitoneally (IP) and then administered orally
vitamin E (200mg/kg) daily for 3 days. Group 5 (
vitamin C and
vitamin E and TAA) received TAA (300mg/kg) once intraperitoneally (IP) and then administered orally
vitamin C (100mg/kg) in combination with
vitamin E (200mg/kg) daily for 3 days. All rats were sacrificed 24h after last treatment under
anesthesia. Blood samples were collected and serum was obtained for analysis of
aspartate aminotransferase (AST),
alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl
transferase (GGT), total
protein,
triglyceride,
cholesterol using spectrophotometer and ELISA kits. Liver and brain were extracted and tissue homogenate was used to measure
malondialdehyde (MDA),
reduced glutathione (GSH) and
nitric oxide (NO). Histological and ultrastructure examination were done. TAA induced significant increase of MDA and decreased in GSH and NO in both liver and brain homogenate with more liver affection, and increased in serum levels of AST, ALT,
triglyceride,
cholesterol and decreased in total
protein. Furthermore, there is decrease in serum levels of AST, ALT,
triglyceride,
cholesterol and tissue levels of MDA and elevated serum total
protein and tissue GSH and NO under the umbrella of
vitamin C and
vitamin E and their combination, although
vitamin E is more efficient. These data showed protective effect of
vitamins C and E, especially
vitamin E against oxidative stress and hepatic and brain damage, and histological architecture of the liver in rats' model of acute
hepatic encephalopathy elicited by TAA.