Abstract:
Acute paracetamol over dose-induced hepatotoxicity is considered an important medical hazard especially
among women. Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 PUFAs) daily doses are nowadays
recommended for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spec-
troscopy is considered a reliable method in analyzing cellular alterations and is now efficiently used to diagnose
several diseases and the efficacy of drugs even in the early stages. The aim of our study was to evaluate the
hepatoprotective effect of Omega-3 PUFAs against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats confirmed
through measuring protein alterations in hepatocytes by FTIR. Rats were pretreated with Omega-3 PUFAs
(50 and 100 mg/kg) for 21 days prior to oral ingestion of paracetamol. FTIR results revealed that Omega-3
PUFAs (50 mg/kg) limited the toxic effects of paracetamol by restoring the hepatic amide I to amide II ratio. In
addition; biochemical analyses demonstrated that serum ALT, AST, Cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and Il-6
levels as well as hepatic TNF-a, MDA, NOx levels were decreased. Besides; serum HDL-cholesterol level
and hepatic GSH level were increased. Histopathological examinations of hepatic sections validated the
hepatoprotective potential. The overall effect of this dose was comparable to those of the usual recommended
hepatoprotective supplement; silymarin. In conclusion; it would be recommended to use Omega-3 PUFAs in
low doses on daily bases as a hepatoprotective agent.
