The protective role of probiotics in the mitigation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity

Abstract

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is one of the traditional hepatotoxicants. Chronic liver damage can result from long-term CCl4 treatment, which is also a well-known model for producing hepatotoxicity. After entering the body, CCl4 is activated by hepatic cytochrome P450 and produces unstable trichloromethyl and trichloromethyl peroxyl radicals. These two types of free radicals attack polyunsaturated fatty acids in biofilm phospholipids and cause lipid peroxidation events, which might finally result in hepatotoxicity. It has recently been investigated that probiotic microorganisms have been found to reduce the liver damage caused by experimentally induced CCl4 exposure. The current review aims to compile experimental research on probiotics' ability to protect the liver against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Nine different types of probiotic microbes were found to significantly protect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in experimental preclinical investigations. According to the findings of the preclinical research, probiotics may be able to lessen the effects of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.

Keywords

• Carbon tetrachloride
• Hepatoprotective effect
• Hepatotoxicity
• Probiotics