We investigated the effect of garlic oil (GO), alone or combined with low dose total body gamma (γ)-irradiation (LDR) against paracetamol (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. GO (100 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for 14 days before hepatotoxicity induction. Animals were irradiated 2 hours before hepatotoxicity induction by peroral APAP (1g/kg) administration, then animals were sacrificed 24 hours later. GO, alone or combined with LDR, ameliorated APAP-induced adverse effects as revealed by the reduction of serum liver marker enzymes activities and the histological examination. Hepatic microsomal cytochrome P2E1 activity was also reduced. Changes in hepatic redox balance were significantly attenuated by both treatments. Hepatic hydrogen peroxide was only reduced by LDR. APAP-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptotic effect were also reversed. GO and/or LDR pretreatment, effectively protected against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Thus, the hepatoprotective effect of GO alone or combined with LDR could be of value in the protective management of APAP-induced hepatic damage.
Keywords: Apoptosis, Garlic, Hepatotoxicity, Low Dose (Γ)-Radiation, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Oxidative stress
