Effects of diallyl tetrasulfide on cadmium-induced oxidative damage in the liver of rats

The protective efficacy of diallyl tetrasulfide (DTS) from garlic on liver injury induced by cadmium (Cd) was investigated. In this study, Cd (3 mg/kg body weight) was administered subcutaneously for 3 weeks to induce toxicity. DTS was administered orally (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight) for 3 weeks with subcutaneous (sc) injection of Cd. Cd-induced liver damage was evidenced from increased activities of serum hepatic enzymes, namely aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase, with significant elevation of lipid peroxidation indices (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides) and protein carbonyl groups in the liver. Rats subjected to Cd toxicity also showed a decline in the levels of total thiols, reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and vitamin E, accompanied by an increased accumulation of Cd, and significantly decreased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the liver. Administration of DTS at 40 mg/kg body weight significantly normalised the activities of hepatic marker enzymes, compared to other doses of DTS (10 and 20 mg/kg body weight). In addition, DTS (40 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced the accumulation of Cd and the level of lipid peroxidation, and restored the level of antioxidant defense in the liver. Histological studies also showed that administration of DTS to Cd-treated rats resulted in a marked improvement of hepatocytes morphology with mild portal inflammation. Our results suggest that DTS might play a vital role in protecting Cd-induced oxidative damage in the liver.