Effects of erdosteine on cyclosporine-A-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressive agent used for organ transplantations and various autoimmune disorders. However, hepatotoxicity due to CsA remains one of the major side effects. The use of antioxidants reduces the adverse effects of CsA. The aim of this study was to determine the protective effects of erdosteine on CsA-induced liver injury through tissue oxidant/antioxidant parameters and to evaluate light microscopic alterations in rat-liver tissues. Rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups: The control group received sunflower oil (2 mL/kg/day, per orally; p.o.), while the other groups were treated with CsA (25 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or erdosteine (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or CsA+erdosteine, respectively. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, tissue malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase enzyme activities were measured. Histological examination was performed. CsA caused a significant deterioration in the hepatic function tests, morphology, and gave rise to severe oxidative stress in the liver. Erdostein significantly improved the functional and histological parameters and attenuated the oxidative stresss induced by CsA. Erdostein protects liver tissue against oxygen free radicals and prevents hepatic dysfunction and morphological abnormalities associated with chronic CsA administration.