Role of tamsulosin in recovery from thioacetamide-induced subchronic liver damage in a Wistar rat model

Introduction and Objectives

The liver is one of the most important organs in the organism due to its multifunctionality. For this reason, any damage affecting this organ can promote a systemic imbalance, starting from the formation of hepatic fibrosis to encephalopathy due to the increase of ammonium. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment with tamsulosin in the recovery of liver damage in a Wistar rat model.

Material and Methods

Induction of liver damage was by thioacetamide for five weeks. After induction, 5 groups (n=6) were formed: 1) cirrhotic, 2) tamsulosin 11 µg/kg, 3) tamsulosin 93 µg/kg, 4) vehicle and 5) intact. For the determination of liver damage, biochemical tests were performed. For tissue evaluation, H/E and Syrian red staining were performed, and immunohistochemistry NF-KB as an inflammatory marker. Biochemical and morphological tests were correlated with the degree of locomotor activity. The trial was approved by the research ethics committee.

Results

Rats treated with tamsulosin showed a significant improvement in weight recovery and locomotor activity due to decreased serum ammonium, about intact and vehicle. The 11 µg/kg dose of tamsulosin presented better results in the histological analyses since a greater recovery of the hepatic architecture was observed with a decrease in fibrosis and a decrease in NF-KB activation.

Conclusion

The use of tamsulosin at low doses can be considered a therapeutic option for the recovery of liver damage; however, further trials and tests are required to support its efficiency in patients.

Funding

The resources used in this study were from the hospital without any additional financing

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.