Prophylactic Effect of Vitamin C on Cyclosporine A-induced Liver Toxicity

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an important immunosuppressive agent; however, its clinical use is limited by several side effects such as hepatotoxicity. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a very important and powerful antioxidant and protects membranes against oxidation. The aim of this study was to study protective role of vitamin C against CSA-induced hepatotoxicity. Thirty male Wister strain rats weighting 230-260g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10): group A was the control group and received placebo (Normal Saline), group B was the CSA-treated group and received 15mg/kg/day CsA for 21 days, group C was the CsA + vitamin C group and was received 200mg/kg/day vitamin C orally 3 hours before receiving 15mg/kg/day CsA. On 22th day rats serum obtained for measuring biochemical factors including bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein, and albumin. Bilirubin, ALT, AST, triglyceride, ALP, and LDH levels were lower in CsA + ascorbic acid group than that of CsA group (P < 0.05) while plasma total protein and albumin were significantly higher in CsA + ascorbic acid group than that of CsA group (P < 0.05).