Ameliorative effects of rutin and ascorbic acid combination on hypercholesterolemia-induced hepatotoxicity in female rats

It has been shown that female rats are more responsive to dietary cholesterol challenge than male and also, hypercholesterolemia induction is easier in female rats. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of rutin (RT) and ascorbic acid (AA) combination on high cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hepatic damage in female Wistar rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups and fed by respective diets for 6 consecutive weeks. Hepatic enzymes activity and lipid profile were estimated in plasma samples. Nucleic acids, total proteins, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) levels were measured in liver. Histopathological changes were observed in hepatic tissue. Enzymatic activity and lipid profile increased significantly in plasma of HCD fed rats, which was normalized in HCD+RT+AA group. In hepatic cells, total protein, nucleic acids and GSH levels were significantly decreased, while MDA, TC and TG levels were increased by HCD. These changes were significantly corrected in HCD+RT+AA group. The apparent protection was further confirmed by the histopathological screening. In conclusion, the study provides the presence of oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic female rats and suggests beneficial effects of RT and AA combinations in combating the oxidative process in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.   Key words: Rutin, ascorbic acid, hypercholesterolemia, oxidative stress.