Comparative Study of the Protective Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Alanine on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare the hepatoprotective effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (n-3 PUFAs) and Alanine on Cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Study Design: Laboratory-based randomized control trial.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Rawal Institute of Health Sciences Islamabad , in collaboration with the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, from 2^nd August 2024 to 31^st January 2025.

Methodology: A total of 120 mature male rats with weight between 350 to 500 grams were split into four equal groups at random (n=30). Group A was used as the control and was given regular saline. A single intraperitoneal dosage of CP (150 mg/kg) was given to Group B in order to cause hepatotoxicity. For a total of 10 days, Group D received 400 mg/kg/day of alanine and Group C received 400 mg/kg/day of n-3 PUFAs as pre- and co-treatments, both in addition to CP. On days 0 and 10, blood samples were collected in order to perform liver function testing (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin). Tissues from the liver were taken for histological analysis.

Data were analyzed using SPSS v28. Paired t-test, ANOVA and post hoc Tukey’s test were applied.

Results: CP administration significantly elevated liver enzyme and bilirubin levels. Both n-3 PUFAs and Alanine reduced these elevations, but Alanine showed greater protective effects, evidenced by lower ALT and bilirubin levels and better histological architecture.

Conclusion: Alanine offers superior hepatoprotection compared to n-3 PUFAs in CP-induced liver injury. Further research is recommended to explore therapeutic applications in clinical settings.