Effect of Grape Seed Oil on Chronic Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Injury and Determination of Hepatic Apoptosis in Rats

Aims: The present study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of grape seed oil (GSO) on liver lesions induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. The effects on hepatic injury were investigated by measuring serum levels of ALT, triglyceride, total protein, total cholesterol and liver levels of MDA. Furthermore, caspase -3, -8 and -9 activities in cellular apoptosis were determined.

Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, between November 2017 and September 2018.

Methodology: In this study 40 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups including 10 animals in each. Control group administered with 0.9% NaCl. The second group was administered with 4 mL/kg GSO for twelve weeks. Third group were given CCl4 (0.2 mL/kg) twice for 8-weeks. Fourth group was administered with 4 mL/kg GSO, for 12 weeks and also given CCl4 (0.2 mL/kg) twice for 8 weeks, starting from the 5th week.

Results: Histopathological examination of CCl4 group showed intense macro and micro vesicular steatosis in hepatocytes, necrosis, and lymphocytes rich mononuclear cell infiltration in portal area and mild portal fibrosis in the parenchyma. The grape seed oil applications have partially normalized the altered histological changes and the activity of caspase -3, -8 and -9. Administration of GSO led to a decline in the activities of ALT and MDA levels while this treatment elevated serum triglycerides levels which are not significantly important.

Conclusion: The results indicate that the antioxidant properties of GSO have not ameliorative effect in either the histopathological lesions or biochemical parameters against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Also, it has been concluded that duration‐dependent further research results are needed to determine the effects of grape seed oil in high doses which can give the best results without side effects.