Impact of caffeic acid phenylester on nitric oxide synthase and arginase in rats intoxicated with nitrites

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of the caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE) on the enzymes detoxifying nitrites induced liver injury in rats. Male albino rats were given CAPE 3 mg CAPE/kg b.wt (i.p.) for last 4 weeks during 2 g/L NaNO2 drinking nitrites for 8 weeks to evaluate the protective effect of CAPE. Another group was treated with the same dose of CAPE i.p for 4 weeks after administration NaNO2 for 4 weeks. Data obtained showed that rats administrated nitrite showed a significant elevation of serum and liver NO and as compared with control. Serum and liver NO levels alleviated to the normal level in rats treated with CAPE. CAPE administration as protected or treated caused a reduction in liver MDA while liver GSH, catalase, and GST were significantly increased as compared with rats drinking nitrites Rats treated with CAPE showed an enhancement in arginase activity as a mechanism to overcome the nitrite toxicity in the liver. In addition, histological observation revealed normal hepatocytes with reduced infiltration of neutrophil in rats treated with CAPE. Conclusion: The CAPE treated rats ameliorated the toxicity of nitrites by inhibiting oxidative stress and modulation of enzymes detoxifying nitrites.

Keywords

• Toxicity
• Nitrites
• CAPE
• NOS
• Arginase
• Antioxidant