Cytoprotective effects of alpha tocopherol against liver injury induced by extrahepatic biliary obstruction

There are several important aetiologies of extrahepatic biliary obstruction (EBO). If EBO is surgically reconstructed in the critical time period, liver damage can be halted or reversed. In this golden period, lipid peroxidations significantly intensify liver defects. We hypothesised that alpha tocopherol (alpha-T) could protect the liver from the damage caused by response to EBO. In standard conditions, albino rats of Wistar strain were divided into two groups. All rats underwent double ligations and divisions of common bile ducts (CBD). One of these groups received alpha-T (CBDL-alpha-T). The other CBDL animals received intramuscular injections of normal saline (CBDL-NS). Serum samples were taken for biochemical analyses by light microscopy. The data showed a decrease in plasma bilirubin and liver enzyme levels in CBDL-alpha-T group, when compared with CBDL-NS (p < 0.05). Morphologic analyses showed better results for CBD-alpha-T. Serum levels of Malonyldialdehyd (MDA) in the CBDL-alpha-T group was 9.2 +/- 3.4 nmol/g compared to that in CBDL-NS, 12.3 +/- 4.4 nmol/g (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a dramatic protective effect of alpha-T on functional and structural features of the liver in rats with EBO was demonstrated. The data suggest that EBO may cause liver damage by stimulation of lipid peroxidation and that alpha-T may slow down liver damage in this setting.