Blueberry anthocyanins ameliorate cyclophosphamide-induced liver damage in rats by reducing inflammation and apoptosis

We attempted to determine whether blueberry anthocyanins (BA) would be protective against cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced liver injury in SD rats. CTX was injected intraperitoneally into rats to induce liver toxicity. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, a CTX group, and two groups received BA at doses of 20 and 80 mg/kg/day for 7 days (i.g.), both before and after they were administered CTX. Liver histopathology, serum liver enzymatic activities, cytokines and apoptotic parameters were evaluated. The rats that were injected with CTX incurred liver injury, evidenced by histological changes and elevated serum enzymes activities; CTX led to elevated proinflammatory cytokines, and reduced anti-inflammatory cytokine; also induced apoptosis, indicated by increased Bax and TLR4, and decreased Bcl-2 expression in western blot assay, which was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry assay with anti-Bax antibody. BA had a protective effect against CTX-induced liver damage in rats.