Potential hepato-protective effect of α-tocopherol or simvastatin in aged rats

BackgroundThe effect of α-tocopherol or simvastatin treatment on antioxidant defense in liver of old rats was investigated.MethodsEndogenous thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total nitrite/nitrate (NO2/NO3) levels as well as non-enzymatic glutathione (GSH) and enzymatic antioxidants [glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) activities] were determined in the livers of young (3 months), aged (22 months), α-tocopherol- or simvastatin-treated aged rats. Serum lipid profile and liver function parameters were also assessed in these 4 groups.ResultsBoth α-tocopherol and simvastatin almost equally restored the age-induced changes in liver TBARS and CAT activity, serum aspartate aminotransferase (GOT), alanine aminotransferase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). α-Tocopherol, but not simvastatin, tended to restore GST and GPX activities in livers of aged rats. Simvastatin, on the other hand, counteracted ageinduced increases in serum cholesterol, TG, LDL, total hepatic NO2/NO3 level, and preserved a normal liver function during aging.ConclusionThus, either drug may be beneficial, in spite of a mechanistic difference in the antioxidant effect of both of them, in alleviating age-induced liver injury.