RESUMO
The aim of the present work was to assess the possible pro-oxidant effects of Al on rat liver, as well as the possible protective role of exogenous vitamin E. 40 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups each including ten animals: group I served as a control, group II treated with Al alone, group ill treated with Al and vitamin E, and group IV treated with vitamin E alone. For 4 weeks, Al and vitamin E were given in a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. After 4 weeks, blood samples were collected for estimation of Al, vitamin E, and liver enzymes ALT and AST. Liver tissue homogenates were used for determining ROS and All. After 4 weeks of Al administration, Al levels increased in both plasma and liver. Treatment with Al alone significantly increased plasma levels of liver enzymes AST and ALT. On the other hand, the presence of vitamin E with Al caused a decrease in these elevated plasma liver enzymes yet it did not reach the control value. ROS was increased in liver homogenates from rats treated with Al compared to controls. This effect was attenuated by exogenous vitamin E administration. Oxidative stress clearly played a key role in Al-induced liver pathogenesis .Moreover; vitamin E supplementation alleviated the harmful effects of Al on all the measured parameters and improved liver functions