Vitamin C and Vitamin D: Safe enough in liver with iron overload?

Abstract

Abstract Background/Aim: Iron accumulation triggers fibrosis in liver. In this study, preconditioing and postconditioning effects of vitamin C(VitC) and vitamin D(VitD), were evaluated in rat liver with iron overload. Materials&Methods: 100 mg/kg vitC and/or 100 mg/kg vitD were administered before or after the iron overload induced with 88 mg/kg iron dextran(Fe) to Wistar Albino rats. Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanin aminotransferase(ALT), tissue total oxidant status(TOS) and total antioxidant status(TAS) were measured; hepatocyte damage, fibrosis and inflammation were evaluated. Results: AST values were significantly lower in postconditioning groups compared to Fe group;VitC significantly increased ALT compared to Fe.When Fe group and treatment groups were examined, the mean tissue TOS values were found to be statistically significantly higher in the treatment groups, while the same change was not observed in the tissue TAS levels. Conclusion: VitC and VitD should not be used individually/together without detailed clinical, laboratory and pathological evaluation in cases with iron overload.