The role of colchicine in prevention of hepatic cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The present study was undertaken to determine whether colchicine has a beneficial effect in the prevention of hepatic cirrhosis when it is given simultaneously with CCl4. METHODOLOGY: Wistar rats were employed as experimental animals and divided into 6 groups: Group I received saline solution, Group II, saline solution and mineral oil; Group III, colchicine (10 mu g/100g) and mineral oil; Group IV, colchicine (10 mu g/100g) and CCl4; Group V, colchicine (5 mu g/100g) and CCl4; and, Group VI received saline solution and CCl4. The effect of colchicine was evaluated by liver function tests, serum total proteins, electrolytes and histological evaluation. RESULTS: The results demonstrated higher values of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin in groups IV and V when compared with group VI (p<0.05). No difference between group VI and groups IV and V was observed in histological evaluation, serum total proteins and electrolytes (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Colchicine, as given in this study, did not have any protective effect in the prevention of cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride.