Protective effect of ethyl pyruvate on liver injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes Mellitus, leading to an increase in oxidative stress, can cause liver damage. Our aim was to investigate the antioxidant effects of Ethyl Pyruvate (EP) on the liver tissue in diabetic rats.

Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were separated into four equal groups. Groups were assigned as follows: (1) Non-diabetic group; (2) EP-treated non-diabetic group; (3) diabetic group; and (4) EP-treated diabetic group. In order to induce diabetes mellitus, 45 mg/kg b.w. streptozotocin was administered intraperitoneally to the rats in groups 3 and 4. On the 3rd day, blood glucose was assessed. Rats with blood glucose levels higher than 300 mg/dl were considered to be diabetic. The EP solution was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. twice daily for 14 days to the rats in groups 2 and 4. The other rats were simultaneously given the same amount of Ringer's lactate solution intraperitoneally. Liver tissue was obtained for malondialdehyde (MDA) analyses and histopathological examination.

In group 4, Total Antioxidant Status (TOS) and MDA levels were significantly lower as compared to group 3. Also, morphological abnormalities occurred in group 3 when compared with non-diabetic groups (groups 1 and 2), whereas the disorders resulting from diabetes improved significantly in group 4.

These findings show that EP has protective effects against diabetes-induced liver injury.