Effect of Liv-52 on Atorvastatin Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats: A Biochemical and Histopathologic Study

Background and Objective: The toxic effect of atorvastatin on the liver has been associated with oxidative stress. The Liv-52 is a polyherbal formulation with known hepatoprotective properties. In this study, the preventive effect of Liv-52 against the potential hepatotoxicity of atorvastatin was investigated. Materials and Methods: Eighteen rats were categorized into three groups of six rats each: Healthy group (HG), atorvastatin-treated group (ATC) and Liv-52+atorvastatin-treated group (LAT). The Liv-52 was orally administered at 50 mg kg(-1) and atorvastatin was orally given at 20 mg kg(-1) after 1 hr of Liv-52 administration. The Liv-52 and atorvastatin were administered once daily for two months. At the end of two months, blood samples were collected from the rats. Subsequently, rats were sacrificed under high-dose (50 mg kg(-1)) thiopental anesthesia and liver tissues were extracted. Biochemical analysis of extracted liver tissues and serum was performed. Liver tissues were additionally analyzed for histopathology. Results: The Liv-52+atorvastatin administration inhibited the atorvastatin-induced increase in malondialdehyde and decreased total glutathione and superoxide dismutase activities in the liver tissues. In addition, the rats receiving Liv-52 had lower levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase compared to the atorvastatin group. Histopathologic analysis demonstrated that Liv-52 protected the liver tissue against atorvastatin-induced injury. Conclusion: The Liv-52 therapy may be useful in preventing atorvastatin-induced liver injury.