Protective Effect of Astaxanthin on Histopathologic
Changes Induced by Bisphenol A in the Liver of Rats
Seda Cetinkaya Karabekir1*,
Burcu Gultekin2,Ilknur Cınar Ayan3,Hasan Basri Savas4, Gokhan Cuce2 and
Serpil Kalkan2
1Izmir
Bakırcay
University, Faculty of Medicine,
Department of Histology and Embryology, Izmir, Turkey;2Necmettin Erbakan University, Faculty of Medicine,
Departments of Histology and Embryology, Meram, Konya, Turkey;
3Necmettin Erbakan University, Faculty of Medicine, Department
of Medical Biology, Meram, Konya, Turkey; 4Mardin Artuklu
University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry,
Mardin, Turkey *Corresponding author:seda.karabekir@bakircay.edu.tr
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) has several potential uses,
including in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which could expose humans
to it. Recognized for its hepatotoxicity and ability to accumulate in organs. We
prompted this study to explore the hepatoprotective potential of astaxanthin
(ASTX), an antioxidant against BPA toxicity. We used 32 male Wistar Albino rats
and randomly assigned them as: Control, Sham (olive oil), BPA, and BPA+ASTX. At
the end of the experiment, Native Thiol, Total Thiol, alanine aminotransferase
(ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured in serum samples.
Histopathological scoring was performed to evaluate the changes caused by ASTX
in the liver. Caspase 3 and caspase 9 expression in liver tissues was
demonstrated immunohistochemically and by PCR. Collagen I (COL1A1) and collagen
III (COL3A1) mRNA levels were measured by PCR in the tissue samples. The BPA
group showed elevated AST and ALT with decreased Thiol levels. ASTX
administration reversed these changes as observed by reduced AST and ALT levels
and increased Thiol levels. Histopathology indicated increased liver damage and
fibrosis in the BPA group which were alleviated in the BPA+ASTX group. Gene
expression analyses revealed upregulated COL1A1 and COL3A1 in BPA, which was
downregulated with ASTX. Immunohistochemistry and PCR confirmed BPA-induced
caspase 3 and caspase 9 expression, which were attenuated by ASTX. This study
underscores ASTX's hepatoprotective efficacy against BPA-induced hepatotoxicity
which ultimately attributed to its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.
Consequently, ASTX emerges as a promising therapeutic agent for preventing and
treating BPA-related liver diseases.
To Cite This Article:
Karabekir SC,
Gultekın B,Ayan IC,Savas HB, Cuce G and Kalkan S, 2024.
Protective effect of astaxanthin on histopathologic changes induced by bisphenol
a in the liver of rats. Pak Vet J, 44(2): 244-251. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2024.178