Original Article

Vitamin E dietary supplementation protects against carbon tetrachloride—induced chronic liver damage and cirrhosis

  1. Dr. Maurizio Parola1,*,
  2. Gabriella Leonarduzzi1,
  3. Fiorella Biasi1,
  4. Emanuele Albano1,
  5. Maria E. Biocca1,
  6. Giuseppe Poli2,
  7. Mario U. Dianzani1

Article first published online: 5 DEC 2005

DOI: 10.1002/hep.1840160426

Issue

Hepatology

Hepatology

Volume 16, Issue 4, pages 1014–1021, October 1992

Additional Information

How to Cite

Parola, M., Leonarduzzi, G., Biasi, F., Albano, E., Biocca, M. E., Poli, G. and Dianzani, M. U. (1992), Vitamin E dietary supplementation protects against carbon tetrachloride—induced chronic liver damage and cirrhosis. Hepatology, 16: 1014–1021. doi: 10.1002/hep.1840160426

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Experimental Medicine and Oncology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy

  2. 2

    C.N.R. Centre of Immunogenetics and Experimental Oncology University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy

*Dipartimento di Medicina ed Oncologia Sperimentale, Università di Torino, Corso Raffaello 30, 10125 Torino, Italy

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 5 DEC 2005
  2. Article first published online: 5 DEC 2005
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 21 MAY 1992
  4. Manuscript Received: 18 NOV 1991

Funded by

  • Ministero dell' Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica
  • Progetto Nazionale Cirrosi Epatica ed Epatiti Virali
  • Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, (Progetto Finalizzato Invecchiamento, SP Gerontobiologia
  • Progetto Finalizzato Applicazione Clinica della Ricerca Oncologica), Rome, Italy

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Abstract

Previous studies have shown that α-tocopherol (vitamin E) pretreatment of experimental animals can protect against acute liver necrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride. In this study we investigated whether the increase of vitamin E liver content by dietary supplementation influences chronic liver damage and cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in the rat. Our data indicate that vitamin E supplementation did not interfere with the growth rate of the animals and increased about threefold the liver's content of the vitamin. Vitamin E supplementation significantly reduced oxidative liver damage, but it was not effective in protecting against development of fatty liver and did not interfere with metabolic activation of carbon tetrachloride. Moreover, vitamin E—fed animals showed incomplete but significant prevention of liver necrosis and cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride. This has been shown by means of histological examination, analysis of serum parameters and biochemical evaluation of collagen content. These results show that an increased liver content of vitamin E can afford a significant degree of protection against carbon tetrachloride–induced chronic liver damage and cirrhosis. (HEPATOLOGY 1992;16:1014–1021)

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