An antibody of TNF-alpha did not prevent thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Hum Exp Toxicol. 2011 Jul;30(7):560-6. doi: 10.1177/0960327110374206. Epub 2010 Jun 9.

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibodies have been shown to reduce liver damage in different models. We investigated the effects of infliximab (a TNF-α antibody) on liver damage in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Group 1 (n = 8) was the control group. In group 2 (n = 8), the TAA group, the rats received 300 mg/kg intraperitoneal (ip) TAA daily for 2 days. In group 3 (n = 8), the TAA + Infliximab (INF) group, infliximab (5 mg/kg ip daily) was administered 48 hours before the first dose of TAA daily for 2 days and was maintained for 4 consecutive days. In group 4 (n = 8), the INF group, the rats received only ip infliximab (5 mg/kg) daily. Livers were excised for histopathological and biochemical tests (thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances [TBARS], and myeloperoxidase [MPO]). Serum ammonia, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), TNF-α, liver TBARS and MPO levels, and liver necrosis and inflammation scores in the TAA group were significantly higher than in the control and INF groups (all p < 0.01). All parameters except AST were not significantly different between TAA and TAA + INF. In conclusion, our results suggest that oxidative stress plays an important role in TAA-induced hepatotoxicity, and infliximab does not improve oxidative liver damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Antidotes / pharmacology*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / prevention & control*
  • Drug Antagonism
  • Infliximab
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Thioacetamide / toxicity*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antidotes
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Thioacetamide
  • Infliximab