Protective effect of a lignan-containing flaxseed extract against CCl4-induced hepatic injury

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) -induced hepatotoxicity is a commonly used model for investigating lipid peroxidation-related tissue injury. In the present study, the effect of flaxseed extract was observed on histological sections, glutathione-content and DNA strand breaks. Lignan-containing flaxseed extract (1.6 g/kg body weight/day) was daily administered with intragastric injection to rats for three days, on the fourth day, CCl4 (2 g/kg) was intraperitoneally injected. Liver tissue was sampled at 24 hr after administering CCl4. Liver-necrosis was observed in CCl4-injected rats without pretreatment of flaxseed extract. Pretreatment of flaxseed extract reduced extent of the necrosis found 24 hr after the intraperitoneal administration Of CCl4. Pretreatment of flaxseed extract protect against CCl4-induced decrease of reduced glutathione-content measured from reactions with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and also protect against the elevation of DNA strand breaks in the liver cells measured by comet assay. Flax seed-extract appears to protect liver cells against CCl4-induced necrosis.