RESUMEN
The present study has been planned to test the toxic effects of sodium nitrite on rats and the effects of sesame seeds and thyme as preventive agents. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were fed on different diets as follows: group 1 fed on standard diet, group 2 and 3 fed or. standard diet containing sodium nitrite at two doses [1 g and 1.4g/kg diet], respectively, group 4 and 5 were fed on the two previous diets, respectively without fat and supplemented with sesame seeds [200g/ kg diet] while group 6 and 7 were fed on the two diets which contain low or high dose of nitrite but supplemented with thyme [40 g/kg diet]. Animals were fed ad libitum for 45 days. Some biochemical analyses were measured and histopathological examination of liver was performed. Administration of nitrite resulted in elevation of it, TG, IC, LDL-c and MDA but IIDL-c showed significant decrease. When sesame or thyme was coupled with nitrite an improvement of these parameters occurred. Histopathological results showed disturbed architecture of liver and congestion of central vein in rats administered low or high dose of nitrite while treatment with sesame or thyme improved to some extent the effects of nitrite, It may be concluded that sesame seeds and thyme have a protective role against sodium nitrite toxicity