Protective effect of ethyl pyruvate on liver injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Background and aims : Diabetes Mellitus, leading to an increase in oxidative stress, can cause liver damage. Our aim was to investi- gate the antioxidant effects of Ethyl Pyruvate (EP) on the liver tis- sue in diabetic rats. Materials and methods : Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were sep- arated into four equal groups. Groups were assigned as follows : (1) Non-diabetic group ; (2) EP-treated non-diabetic group ; (3) diabetic group ; and (4) EP-treated diabetic group. In order to induce diabetes mellitus, 45 mg/kg b.w. streptozotocin was admin- istered intraperitoneally to the rats in groups 3 and 4 . On the 3rd day, blood glucose was assessed. Rats with blood glucose levels higher than 300 mg/dl were considered to be diabetic. The EP solu- tion was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. twice daily for 14 days to the rats in groups 2 and 4. The other rats were simultaneously given the same amount of Ringer's lactate solution intraperitoneally. Liver tissue was obtained for malondi- aldehyde (MDA) analyses and histopathological examination. Results : In group 4, Total Antioxidant Status (TOS) and MDA levels were significantly lower as compared to group 3 . AlsO. mor- phological abnormalities occurred in group 3 when compared with non-diabetic groups (groups 1 and 2), whereas the disorders result- ing from diabetes improved significantly in group 4. Conclusions : These findings show that EP has protective effects against diabetes-induced liver injury. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2012, 75, 336-341).