Protective Effect of Ghrelin on Sodium Valproate-induced Liver Injury in Rat

Ghrelin is a peptide that has protective effects on many tissues injury. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Sodium valproate is widely used anticonvuisant and anti-depression drug with hepatotoxic side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluated the protective role of ghrelin in liver toxicity due to sodium valproate overdose. Eighteen rats were used in this study and divided in to three groups, containing: control, sodium valproate, and sodium valproate and ghrelin groups. Nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and hepatic enzymes AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase), were assessed and histologic study of liver were performed as indicators of liver damage following sodium valproate toxicity. This study showed the ghrelin decreased ALT and AST to the normal level. Our results show that ghrelin significantly increased NO metabolites and decreased PGE2 level comparison with sodium valproate group, but had no significant change compared to the control group. we showed that ghrelin administration inhibited liver injury in rats due to sodium valproate toxicity.