Protective effect of two anti-hepato toxic agents: silymarin and alpha-tocopherol against the subcellular toxicity induced by the hypolipidemic agent etofibrate

Etofibrate, a nicotinoyl derivative of clofibrate which belongs to the family of fibric acids. Both nicotinic acid and clofibrate are known for their hypolipidemic action and are used for the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia. In the present study, the effect of three concentration levels of etofibrate on four rat liver lysosomal enzymes [Acid phosphatase, beta-Galactosidase, B, N-Acetyl glucosaminidase and b-Glucuronidase] for three incubation periods [30, 60 and 120 minutes] were studied in vitro, and were then compared with their combined effects together with a single therapeutic dose of each of two anti-hepato toxic agents. Silymarin and alpha-tocopherol [vitamin E] separately on the same enzymes for the same incubation periods. The results obtained showed that the three doses of etofibrate induced a marked releasing effect on the four lysosomal enzymes irrespect of the incubation time. Meanwhile, a considerable stabilization of these enzymes was observed when each of the two single doses for alpha-tocopherol and silymarin were used separately with etofibrate at the lowest concentration level