Protective effect of dexpanthenol against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of dexpanthenol (Dexp) against cisplatin (Cis)-induced hepatotoxicity. Thirty-two Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: Control group (n=8), Dexp group (n=8, 500 mg/kg/ip/daily single dose/3 days Dexp), Cis group (n=8, 7 mg/kg/ip/single dose Cis) and Cis+Dexp group (n=8, 500 mg/kg/ip/daily single dose/3 days Dexp +7 mg/kg/ip/single dose Cis). MDA, CAT, GSH, GSH-Px, TOS, TAS, OSI, Total Nitrit, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were analyzed in liver tissue samples. After paraffinization of liver tissue samples, histopathological (congestion, loss of glycogen, number of Kupffer cells) and immunohistochemical (caspase-3 expression) parameters were assessed on the paraffinized liver sections. GSH, TAS, TOS, OSI, Tot Nit, L-Arginine, ADMA and SDMA levels were measured in the serum samples. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of all liver tissue biochemical parameters, with the exception of IL-1β and TNF-α levels. GSH, CAT, GSH-Px, TAS and Tot Nit levels were significantly higher in the Cis+Dexp group compared to the Cis group, whereas MDA, TOS, OSI and IL-6 levels were higher in the Cis group. Similarly, serum GSH, TAS, Tot Nit levels were higher in the Cis+Dexp group whereas TOS, L-Arginine, ADMA and SDMA levels were higher in Cis group. There were statistically significant differences between Control and Cis groups in terms of congestion increase, increase of glycogen loss, increase of Kupffer cell number and increase of caspase-3 expression (P<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between the Cis and the Cis+Dexp groups in terms of histopathologic parameters, with the exception of congestion (P<0.001). To conclude, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical results of this study demonstrated that Dexp has a protective effect against Cis-induced hepatotoxicity.