Magnesium attenuates carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in rats.

In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in rats. MgSO4 (0.001, 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 Mg(2+) g/kg b.wt.) was administered intragastrically for 28 consecutive days to male, CCl4-treated rats. The hepatoprotective activity was assessed using various biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Histopathological changes in the liver, of different groups were also studied. Administration of CCl4 increased serum ALT, AST, ALP and GGT, but decreased liver SOD activities in rats. Treatment with MgSO4 significantly attenuated these changes to nearly normal levels. The animals treated with MgSO4 showed decreased necrotic zones and reduced hepatocellular degeneration when compared to liver exposed to CCl4 alone. Hepatic damage was reduced in MgSO4-treated rats. Thus, our results suggest that MgSO4 has potential for the treatment of liver damage resulting from chemical intoxication.