Saber A Sakr, Hoda A Mahran, Nahed S Bassily and Mona E Saif
Keywords: Colchicine, trimethylcolchicinic acid, bile duct ligation, liver, cirrhosis
Abstract: The present study investigated the effect of colchicine and trimethylcolchicinic acid on liver fibrosis induced by common bile duct ligation in albino rats. Bile duct ligated rats showed cirrhosis where liver architecture completely distorted with diffused fibrosis and generation of abnormal nodules. Hepatocytes with nuclear changes and highly proliferated bile ductules were also detected. Alpha smooth muscle actin positive cells increased markedly. Biochemical results also showed elevation in serum transaminases (AST, ALT) and alkaline phosphatase activities as well as total bilirubin concentration. Most of these effects were gradually reversed with colchicine and trimethylcolchicinic acid treatment. Both colchicine and trimethylcolchicinic acid were nearly similar in there therapeutic effect when used at the same dose and under similar conditions. Moreover, higher doses of trimethylcolchicinic acid were more efficient and safer than colchicine in treating liver fibrosis in the experimental animals.
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