Investigation of the protective effect of erdosteine against cyclosporine-induced injury in rat liver with histological and biochemical methods.

BACKGROUND/AIM In the present study, the protective effect of erdosteine against cyclosporine-induced injury in rat liver was investigated with histological and biochemical methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two Wistar albino male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control (n = 8), cyclosporine (n = 8, 20 mg kg(-1) day(-1) i.p.), cyclosporine + erdosteine (n = 8, erdosteine 12 mg kg(-1) day(-1) orally), and erdosteine (n = 8). At the end of day 12, liver tissues were removed for histological and biochemical analysis. After liver tissues were fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin, routine histological processes were applied and tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and elastic fiber stain methods. One hundred lobules of liver were examined for each group and evaluated statistically. The levels of malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, were determined. RESULTS The cyclosporine group showed significant histopathological changes compared to the control. In the cyclosporine + erdosteine group, histopathological changes of hepatic damage were markedly reduced. Histological findings were supported by biochemical results. CONCLUSION Erdosteine could attenuate cyclosporine-induced liver injury.