Drug Induced Liver Injury;

Abstract

Objectives: Analyzing the efficacy of ascorbic acid (AA) against azathioprine(AZA) induced liver injury in rabbit model. Study design: Experimental study. Place andDuration: Isra University in collaboration with the animal house of Sindh Agriculture University;Tando Jam from July 2010 to November 2011. Materials and Methods: A sample of 80 rabbitswas divided into; Group A – control rabbits, and Experimental group B - (AZA 15 mg/kg), groupC- (AZA 15 mg/kg + AA 100 mg/kg) and group D- (AZA 15 mg/kg + AA 200 mg/kg). Bloodsamples were taken and sera were used for liver function test. Liver tissue sections 5μ thickwere stained for light microscopy examination. Data was analyzed on statistical software (SPSS21.0, IBM Incorporation, USA) (P≤ 0.05). Results: Azathioprine induces severe liver injury(group B vs. group A) that was ameliorated by the ascorbic acid in group C and D (p=0.0001).Microscopy showed hepatocyte necrosis, cholestasis, sinusoidal dilatation, peri-sinusoidalfibrosis, veno-occlusive disease, peliosis hepatis and loss of tissue array in azathioprine treatedrabbits. Conclusion: Azathioprine causes severe liver injury that was ameliorated by theascorbic acid in present experimental study.