Effect of alpha-interferon and alpha-tocopherol in reversing hepatic cirrhosis in rats

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of alpha-interferon and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), or a combination of both, in reversing hepatic fibrosis following the induction of cirrhosis using thioacetamide by histological and biochemical analysis. Fifty male Wistar rats were used in this study. The animals were divided equally into five groups. Animals in group I were used as controls. The remaining animals (groups II-V) were provided with 0.5 g/L of thioacetamide in order to induce liver cirrhosis. Group II animals were used as the cirrhotic control. Animals of groups III, IV and V were given alpha-interferon, alpha-tocopherol and interferon together with alpha-tocopherol, respectively, for 30 days. After 30 days the animals were killed and following gross morphological examination of the liver, the hepatic tissues were processed for histological analysis and the serum was used for liver function tests. Morphological analysis showed a decrease in the number of nodules on the surface of the liver in both interferon- as well as vitamin E-treated cirrhotic rats. Histopathological analysis showed that the abnormalities of the cirrhotic liver were partially reversed and liver function tests showed an overall improvement following treatment of animals of groups III, IV and V. Combination therapy using both interferon and alpha-tocopherol did not have any substantial effect on the rats compared with that when they were given separately. These findings suggest that alpha-interferon and alpha-tocopherol may have therapeutic value in reversing liver cirrhosis.