What Is Tamoxifen (TMX)
Abstract
Background: Tamoxifen (TMX) is a synthetic drug that is used for treatment of breast cancer. Despite the beneficial effects of TMX, the use of this drug has several side-effects in these patients. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a well-known adverse effect of TMX. Silybum marianum is the most researched plant in the treatment of liver disease.
Objectives: In this study the effect of Silybum marianum extract (SME) on histological and biochemical parameters in the TMX treated rats was investigated.
Materials and Methods: Adult female Wistar rats were divided into four groups; group 1: normal control untreated rats, group 2: SME-treated rats, that received only SME oral gavage for 14 days , group 3: TMX-treated rats, that …show more content…
It is also used in infertility due to a stimulatory effect on the secretion of pituitary gonadotropin hormones (2-3). Despite the beneficial effects of TMX, the use of this drug has several side-effects in these patients (4). Hepatic side effects of TMX have included elevation in liver function tests, jaundice, hepatitis, steatohepatitis, cholestasis, and massive hepatic necrosis (5). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a well-known adverse effect of TMX (4). NAFLD is the accumulation of fat in the liver in patients without a history of alcohol abuse. NAFLD classified to simple steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Simple steatosis is a benign condition that can reverse by some drugs, whereas NASH, an irreversible form of the disease, not only steatosis but also hepatocellular inflammation injury are present and often will be progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) …show more content…
The levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL-C not changed significantly, whereas protein and HDL-C concentration were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in TMX group compared with the control group. Oral administration of Silybum marianum increased significantly (P < 0.05) protein level and non-significantly HDL-C concentration in TMX+SME group compared with TMX group.
Liver function tests were showed in table 2. ALT activity was elevated significantly (P < 0.05) by tamoxifen in TMX group compare with control rats and oral administration of Silybum marianum in TMX-SME group significantly (P < 0.05) reversed this changed to near normal levels. AST and ALK activities follow the same pattern, although not significant.
Figure 1 depicts the level of triglycerides in the liver tissues of control and experimental animals. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in triglyceride level was observed in tamoxifen treated rats and it was changed near normal values after treatment with Silybum marianum in TMX-SME group. Histological examinations confirmed biochemical results on tamoxifen induced fatty liver and its improvement by Silybum marianum (Figure
Background: Tamoxifen (TMX) is a synthetic drug that is used for treatment of breast cancer. Despite the beneficial effects of TMX, the use of this drug has several side-effects in these patients. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a well-known adverse effect of TMX. Silybum marianum is the most researched plant in the treatment of liver disease.
Objectives: In this study the effect of Silybum marianum extract (SME) on histological and biochemical parameters in the TMX treated rats was investigated.
Materials and Methods: Adult female Wistar rats were divided into four groups; group 1: normal control untreated rats, group 2: SME-treated rats, that received only SME oral gavage for 14 days , group 3: TMX-treated rats, that …show more content…
It is also used in infertility due to a stimulatory effect on the secretion of pituitary gonadotropin hormones (2-3). Despite the beneficial effects of TMX, the use of this drug has several side-effects in these patients (4). Hepatic side effects of TMX have included elevation in liver function tests, jaundice, hepatitis, steatohepatitis, cholestasis, and massive hepatic necrosis (5). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a well-known adverse effect of TMX (4). NAFLD is the accumulation of fat in the liver in patients without a history of alcohol abuse. NAFLD classified to simple steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Simple steatosis is a benign condition that can reverse by some drugs, whereas NASH, an irreversible form of the disease, not only steatosis but also hepatocellular inflammation injury are present and often will be progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) …show more content…
The levels of glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL-C not changed significantly, whereas protein and HDL-C concentration were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in TMX group compared with the control group. Oral administration of Silybum marianum increased significantly (P < 0.05) protein level and non-significantly HDL-C concentration in TMX+SME group compared with TMX group.
Liver function tests were showed in table 2. ALT activity was elevated significantly (P < 0.05) by tamoxifen in TMX group compare with control rats and oral administration of Silybum marianum in TMX-SME group significantly (P < 0.05) reversed this changed to near normal levels. AST and ALK activities follow the same pattern, although not significant.
Figure 1 depicts the level of triglycerides in the liver tissues of control and experimental animals. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in triglyceride level was observed in tamoxifen treated rats and it was changed near normal values after treatment with Silybum marianum in TMX-SME group. Histological examinations confirmed biochemical results on tamoxifen induced fatty liver and its improvement by Silybum marianum (Figure