Yousif A. Elhassaneen^1,, Tarek A. Afifi¹, Mona A. Elhefny¹, Asmaa I. Bayomi²

The present study aims to investigate the effect of Silybum marianum seeds extract intervention on biochemical parameters, histological changes, and apoptosis and cell cycle of liver tissue in Benzo[a]pyrene injected rats. Rats (n=36), were randomly assigned to six groups of 6 rats per each. Group 1 served as normal control. Groups 2 to 6 were injected intraperitoneally with B[a]P for 14 days and group (2) acted as a model control, while groups (3-6) received SME at concentrations of 200, 400, 600, and 800 mg/kg bw/d by oral gavage for 28 days each, respectively. Treatment of rats with B[a]P caused a significant increased (p≤0.05) in liver enzymes functions (AST, 126.07%, ALT, 120.24%, and ALP, 142.32%), compared to normal control rats. Also, B[a]P treatment brought a significant (p≤0.05) decrease in serum triglycerides (TG's), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and liver glycogen, albumin and glutathione (GSH) content by the ratio of -78.48, -39.98, -71.40, -43.03 and - 35.29%, respectively. Furthermore, B[a]P treatment brought a significant (p≤0.05) increase in serum cholesterol and liver malonaldehyde (MDA), the biomarkers of oxidative stress in cells, content by the ratio of 37.47 and 225.34%, respectively. Additionally, adverse molecular (apoptosis and cell cycle) and histopathological changes of liver tissue as the result of B[a]P treatment. Supplementation of the rat diets with SME (200 to 800 mg/kg bw/d) prevented the rise of liver function enzymes activities, MDA liver content and serum cholesterol as well as increases in serum TG's and albumin and the liver glycogen and GSH content. Also, improvement in both molecular and histological parameters was recorded. The rate of improving in all of these parameters exhibited a dose-dependent increase with the SME intervention. The results of this study suggest that treatment with SME in the tested concentrations proved beneficial on manipulation of the liver biochemical, molecular and histological injuries induced by B[a]P.

liver functions, glycogen, triglycerides, albumin, glutathione, malonaldehyde, flow cytometer