Trans sodium crocetinate protects against hepatotoxicity induced by bisphenol A in rats

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a monomer used in producing a wide range of materials and products, and it is recognized as an endocrine disruptor. Exposure to BPA can cause toxicity in multiple organs, especially the liver. Trans sodium crocetinate (TSC) is a synthetic salt derived from crocetin extracted from Crocus sativus. TSC exhibits antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and properties that inhibit autophagy. This study evaluates the effects of TSC on liver toxicity induced by BPA.

A total of 42 rats were allocated into seven groups, including those exposed to BPA at a dose of 75 mg/kg, BPA and trans sodium crocetinate (TSC) at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, and groups receiving olive oil, distilled water, or TSC (40 mg/kg) alone. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation, and glutathione, as well as serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin were assessed using colorimetric methods. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and liver protein expression were quantified using fluorimetric and western blot techniques.

TSC, at the dose of 40 mg/kg, reduced the levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation induced by BPA, while remarkably increasing the glutathione content and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in liver tissue. Moreover, TSC markedly alleviated the BPA-induced increases in caspase-3 protein levels and in the activities of ALT, AST, ALP, and LDH, as well as in serum bilirubin T.

Altogether, TSC can be regarded as a supplement to protect against BPA-induced hepatotoxicity due to its potent antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects.