Degradation of Phospholipids by N, N-Dimethylformamide Induced Liver Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats

Dimethylformamide (DMF) is an industrially used solvent, prioritized by the National Toxicology Program as a potent hepatotoxic compound. The effect of DMF on liver is well documented; however its impact on hepatic phospholipids remains enigmatic. Hence, to understand the phospholipid metabolism we have developed an animal model for DMF induced hepatotoxicity. In the present study, DMF (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 g/kg body wt) was given intraperitoneally to male wistar rats and terminated after 24 and 48 h. DMF with a concentration of 1.5 g/kg body wt shows maximum toxic effect. Dosages higher than 1.5 g/kg body wt showed lethal effect, hence in this study, 1.5 g/kg body wt was used as maximum concentration. Induction of hepatotoxicity by DMF was confirmed by liver marker enzymes. DMF impairs the liver phospholipid metabolism. DMF decreased the individual phospholipid levels by altering the fatty acid composition. There was an increase in unsaturated fatty acids with a concomitant decrease in saturated fatty acid. These changes in the fatty acid may directly or indirectly affect the membrane structure and fluidity. Understanding the mechanism by which DMF induced hepatotoxicity and alteration in phospholipid metabolism is a worthwhile pursuit.