AMELIORATING THE SIDE EFFECTS OF PENICILLIN AND STREPTOMYCIN ON HEPATOCYTES USING VITAMIN C IN GUINEA PIGS

Adel A. A. Muaqeb, Ebtisam Y. Shikoo, Mohammed S. A. Al-Awar* and Amal M. H. Banafa

ABSTRACT

Background: Penicillin and streptomycin have long been used in antibacterial therapy. The effects of penicillin and streptomycin on histological structure of liver are well studied. It has been reported that the effects of aminoglycoside and penicillin mainly due to the generation of an excessive amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), vit C has the ability to counteract free radicals and protect the structure and function of proteins, DNA and chromosomes against oxidation injury, and they are the most powerful in reducing storage and toxicity of reactive oxygen species. Aim: To investigate ability of Vit C as antioxidant on reducing the side effect of Penicillin and Streptomycin on function and tissue of liver in guinea pig. Methods: A total of fifty-five adult male guinea pigs weighting 800-900g were divided into six groups, and the period of experiment was 30 days. Group I served as control, group 2 were administrated orally with Vit C 100 mg/kg, group 3 were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with penicillin 50000 IU/kg, group 4 in addition penicillin (50000IU/kg) were orally administrated with vit C 100 mg/kg, group 5 were (i.p.) injected with streptomycin 50 mg/kg, and group 6 in addition streptomycin (50 mg/kg) were orally administrated with Vit C 100 mg/kg. Results: The result showed a significant increase in the levels of AST, ALT and ALP, and a significant decrease in the levels of total protein and albumin, with histopathological changes in penicillin and streptomycin treated guinea pigs when compared to the control. Administration of vitamin C to penicillin and streptomycin treated groups produced significant (P<0.01) reduction in AST, ALT and ALP and an increase in total protein and albumin levels. Administration of Vit C also decreased these histopathological changes in hepatocytes appearance was more or less similar to control group as well as its function. Conclusion: The present results indicate that Vit C may play an important role as Cytoprotective and pave the way for further studies on the possible use of Vit C.

Keywords: Vitamin C, Penicillin, Streptomycin, Histological and Biochemical study.