Protective effects of Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) against sodium Arsenite (NaAsO2) - Induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar Rats

One of the major environmental contaminants that can be found on a global scale is arsenic. Sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) is one of the compounds of arsenic which is considered very toxic. Long term exposure to NaAsO2 can cause chemical complications in various organs of the body such as the liver, kidney, testes and brain tissues. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is an antioxidant that can serve as an antitoxic effect. NaAsO2. In this topic, we examined the chemo-protective effect of BHT on NaAsO2 induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. Wistar rats (n=42, +120g) were randomly grouped into seven treatment groups: of 7 animals each Control 1(corn oil); Control 2(distilled water); NaAsO2 alone (2.5mg/kg). BHT alone (25 mg/kg); BHT only (25mg/kg); BHT+ NaAsO2 (25mg/kg + 2.5/kg), and BHT+ NaAsO2 (2.5g/kg + 50 mg/kg) and treated for 14 days. Markers of liver functions, inflammation, oxidative stress and antioxidant profile of liver were assayed spectrophotometrically. Our results showed that exposure to NaAsO2 resulted in dramatic increase in the levels of AST, ALT and ALP activity Furthermore, NaAsO2 increased the concentration of oxidative stress markers such as xanthine oxidase (XO) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) and inflammatory markers such as myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide (NO) with a concomitant decrease in antioxidant markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD). Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and catalase. However, the co-exposure of rats to both BHT and NaAsO2 can result in significant decrease the parameters above. In conclusion, exposure of rats to NaAsO2 causes increased inflammatory and oxidative stress signals, but these harmful effects can be ameliorated by administration of antioxidants such as BHT as confirmed by this research.