Hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of copper-nicotinate complex against fatty liver in rat model

Research (Published online: 04-12-2019)

3. Hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of copper-nicotinate complex against fatty liver in rat model

Ahmed Medhat Hegazy, Ayman Samir Farid, Ahmed S. Hafez, Rania M. Eid and Soad M. Nasr

Veterinary World, 12(12): 1903-1910

Ahmed Medhat Hegazy: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Sahari, Airport Way 81528, Aswan, Egypt.

Ayman Samir Farid: Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh 13736, Qalyubia, Egypt.

Ahmed S. Hafez: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Sahari, Airport Way 81528, Aswan, Egypt.

Rania M. Eid: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Sahari, Airport Way 81528, Aswan, Egypt.

Soad M. Nasr: Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, National Research Centre, 33 Bohouth Street, Post Box 12622, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2019.1903-1910

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Article history: Received: 29-07-2019, Accepted: 23-10-2019, Published online: 04-12-2019

Corresponding author: Ahmed Medhat Hegazy

E-mail: ahmed_medhat012@yahoo.com

Citation: Hegazy AM, Farid AS, Hafez AS, Eid RM, Nasr SM (2019) Hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of copper-nicotinate complex against fatty liver in rat model, Veterinary World, 12(12): 1903-1910.

Abstract

Aim: The current study was designed to evaluate the potential hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of copper-nicotinate complex (CNC) against methionine- and choline-deficient diet (MCDD)-induced fatty liver in rats.

Materials and Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into one of four equal-sized groups (G1-G4). The G1 group was fed a balanced diet and kept under normal conditions; the G2 group received CNC orally at a dose of 0.043 mg/kg body weight, 3 times/week for 4 weeks, and a balanced diet; the G3 group was fed an MCDD for 4 weeks; and the G4 group was fed an MCDD and administered CNC at the same dose and route as G2. Blood samples were collected for the determination of serum enzyme activity. After 4 weeks of treatment, liver specimens were collected for the evaluation of the oxidative/antioxidative markers, cytokine gene expression, and histopathological examination.

Results: CNC improved MCDD-induced liver dysfunctions by recovering serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities to their normal levels. The glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity significantly decreased, while lipid peroxidation (as reflected by malondialdehyde [MDA]) markedly increased in the liver tissue of the MCDD group. After cotreatment with MCDD and CNC, the GSH level and SOD activity markedly increased and the MDA level significantly decreased to return to normal levels. After cotreatment with MCDD and CNC, significant downregulation of the mRNA expression of hepatic interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, macrophage inflammatory protein-1a, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 genes was found. Moreover, CNC reduced fatty liver complications by reducing the number of hepatic vacuolations, degenerative changes in the hepatocytes, and hemorrhage.

Conclusion: CNC has the potential to limit tissue injury and possibly prevent the progression to severe liver disease caused by an MCDD.

Keywords: copper-nicotinate complex, cytokines gene expression, fatty liver, hepatoprotective, oxidative stress markers.