The effect of vitamin C on formaldehyde-induced liver injury in male rats

Formaldehyde (FA) is a water soluble chemical agent used in different sciences and industries. In medicine, it is used for cadaver and tissue fixation, disinfection and sterilization procedures. Formaldehyde causes structural and functional changes in liver. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of vitamin C on histological and biochemical changes of formaldehyde-induced chronic of liver in male Rats.

A total of 24 male wistar-albino rats were divided into three equal groups: control [0.9% NaCl alone, intraperitonealy (ip)], group 1[37%FA, 10 mg/kg,ip] and group 2 [vitamin C,100 mg/kg, ip+FA]. After 10days, all animals were anaesthetized and blood serum were collected and frozen (-20 ºC) for biochemical analysis. After cervical dislocation, the liver tissue samples were taken in order to be processed for light microscopy.

Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in rats treated with vitamin C plus formaldehyde were lower than the FA treated group. Light microscopic evaluation of liver tissue samples of formaldehyde-exposed rats revealed enlarged sinusoids filled with blood and mononuclear cell infiltration in the portal areas and around the central veins. The rats treated with vitamin C plus formaldehyde had fewer histological changes rather than formaldehyde treated group.

Our results suggest that vitamin C may be useful to protect against formaldehyde-induced liver injury.