Evaluation of the protective effect curcumin on encephalopathy caused by intrahepatic and extrahepatic damage in male rats

Objective(s): Along with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and brain damage, brain edema is the most common cause of death in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. Curcumin can pass the blood-brain barrier and possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study focuses on the curcumin protective effect on intrahepatic and extrahepatic damage in the brain. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-four male Albino N-Mary rats were randomly divided into ۲ main groups: intrahepatic injury group and extrahepatic cholestasis group. In intra-hepatic injury group intrahepatic damage was induced by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of acetaminophen (۵۰۰ mg/kg) [۱۹] and included four subgroups: ۱. Sham, ۲. Acetaminophen (APAP), ۳. Normal saline (Veh) which was used as curcumin solvent, and ۴. Curcumin (CMN).  In extrahepatic cholestasis group intrahepatic damage was caused by common bile duct litigation (BDL) and included four subgroups: ۱. Sham, ۲. BDL, ۳. Vehicle (Veh), and ۴. Curcumin (CMN). In both groups, ۷۲ hr after induction of cholestasis, brain water content, blood-brain barrier permeability, serum ammonia, and histopathological indicators were examined and ICP was measured every ۲۴ hr for three days.Results: The results showed that curcumin reduced brain edema, ICP, serum ammonia, and blood-brain barrier permeability after extrahepatic and intrahepatic damage. The maximum effect of curcumin on ICP was observed ۷۲ hr after the injection.Conclusion: According to our findings, it seems that curcumin is an effective therapeutic intervention for treating encephalopathy caused by extrahepatic and intrahepatic damage.

Keywords:

Acetaminophen , Brain edema , Curcumin , Hepatic damage , Hepatic encephalopathy , Intracranial pressure