Comparison of the effect of vanadium and deferoxamine on acetaminophen toxicity in rats

AIM: Acetaminophen (APAP) can change to toxic metabolites at high dose; if these metabolites are in high amounts, the body will be unable to neutralize them, and several tissues including liver will be damaged. In the present study, the effect of vanadium was compared with deferoxamine on hepatotoxicity and also kidney function during APAP administration in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was done in 5 groups (5 rats in each group): group I to V, respectively, received normal saline, APAP, APAP + deferoxamine, APAP + vanadium, and vanadium. At the end of the study, blood was collected and serum was separated for laboratory tests. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, sodium, and potassium were determined. The liver of the rats were separated for tissue processing and light microscopic examination. RESULTS: APAP significantly increased; ALT level and deferoxamine and vanadium prevented its elevation. Also, deferoxamine and vanadium prevented increase of AST by APAP. The change of factors, which are related to the kidney function, i.e., BUN, creatinine, sodium, and potassium were not considerable. CONCLUSION: Thus, it was observed that vanadium had better effect than deferoxamine in the prevention of hepatotoxicity induced by APAP.