Telmisartan ameliorates carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats

This study assessed the potential hepatoprotective effect of telmisartan (TLM), a selective angiotensin II type 1 (AT₁ ) receptor blocker, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄ )-induced acute hepatotoxity in rats. Intraperitoneal injection of male Wistar rats with CCl₄ 1 mL kg^-1 , 1:1 mixture with corn oil for 3 days increased serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase activities as well as total bilirubin, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels. This is in addition to the disrupted histological architecture in the CCl₄ group. Rats receiving CCl₄ and co-treated with TLM (3 and 10 mg kg^-1 , orally) showed ameliorated serum biochemical and histological changes almost to the control level. Nevertheless, rats treated with TLM (1 mg kg^-1 ) didn't show any significant changes compared to CCl₄ intoxicated group. In addition, TLM rectified oxidative status disrupted by CCl₄ intoxication. Interestingly, TLM protected against CCl₄ -induced expressions of nuclear factor-κB, inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-II, in a dose related manner. Moreover, TLM (3 and 10 mg kg^-1 ) significantly modified CCl₄ -induced elevation in tumor necrosis factor-α and nitric oxide levels. Furthermore, TLM showed a marked decline in CD68+ cells stained areas and reduced activity of myeloperoxidase enzyme compared to CCl₄ -intoxicated group. In conclusion, both doses of TLM (3 and 10 mg kg^-1 ) showed significant hepato-protective effects. However, TLM at a dose of 10 mg kg^-1 didn't show significant efficacy above 3 mg kg^-1 which is nearly equivalent to the human anti-hypertensive dose of 40 mg. Thus, may be effective in guarding against several hepatic complications due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 359-370, 2017.