Investigation of the effect of silymarin on the liver in experimental sepsis

Abstract

ABSTRACT
The aim of the study is to investigate the possible protective
effect of silymarin (extract of Silybum marianum) on the
liver of septic rats was at early stage of sepsis. Polymicrobial
sepsis was induced by the cecal ligation and perforation
(CLP) technique. Sepsis and sepsis + silymarin treated
groups received vehicle or silymarin (50 mg/kg, orally). The
rats were decapitated 6 h after the CLP procedure. Protein,
glutathione, lipid peroxidation levels, tissue factor activity
and some enzyme activities were determined and
polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis was carried on liver
samples. TNF-a, IL-1b and IL-6 were determined in blood
samples. Glutathione levels significantly increased and
tissue factor activity significantly decreased in both sepsis
and sepsis+silymarin treated groups when compared with
control. Superoxide dismutase activity significantly
decreased in sepsis+silymarin treated group when compared
control and sepsis groups. No significant difference was
found in electrophoresis protein bands. Blood
proinflammatory cytokine levels were significantly
decreased in silymarin treated sepsis group when compared
with sepsis group. The effect of silymarin was not apparent
since oxidative damage was not obvious in liver
consequently it can be suggested that some protective
mechanisms related with glutathione in liver may be
involved in early stage sepsis.
Key Words: Sepsis, Silymarin, Liver, Tissue factor, Oxidative stress

Keywords

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Abstract

References

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