The effect of cabergoline on level of liver enzymes

The liver has an important role in the metabolism of chemical drugs and plasma protein synthesis. Cabergoline is used in the treatment of hyperprolactinemia and parkinson disease and some of other disorders. This study aimed to find the effect of cabergoline on the liver enzymes and serum proteins. In this experimental study 40 adult male Wistar rats were divided in to five equal groups. The drug was subcutaneously injected for 14 days. The experimental groups received 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg respectively. The control group had no drug and the last group received distilled water. At the end, blood samples were taken from all subjects and liver enzymes, ALT (Alanine Transaminase), AST (Aspartate Transaminase), ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase), Albumin and total protein were determined by outoanalyzer in order to evaluate the liver function. The results were analyzed by non-parametric (K Independent Sample) tests. No significant differences were observed in the level of ALT and AST enzymes between cases and control groups. The level of ALP in case groups (471±28.7, 474±53.06) showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (551±31.64). Total protein showed a significant decrease in the groups who received medium and maximum doses of cabergoline (7.71±0.11 and 7.70±0.09 compared to 8.36±0.14). Albumin showed a significant decrease in the groups who received medium and maximum doses of cabergoline (4.6±0.05 and 4.46±0.02 compared to 4.71±0.08 in control group). As there was no significant difference in the level of AST and ALT as the main indicators of liver function, it could be concluded that cabergoline as a dopamine antagonist has no side effects on the liver parenchymal cells, but more study seems to be needed.