Hepatoprotective Effects of Palmitoleic Acid against Ketamine-Induced Hepatotoxicity in an Animal Model

Abstract

Background: Palmitoleic acid has cytoprotective effects against different insults. This study examined the protective benefits of palmitoleic acid against ketamine-induced hepatic damage in rats by biochemical and histological evaluations.

Methods: In the current study, thirty-six albino male gender rats aged 12-14 weeks were used and divided into four equal groups, each with nine rats: Control, Ketamine, Palmitoleic acid only, and Palmitoleic acid + ketamine. Palmitoleic acid was given orally by gavage at a dosage of 300mg/kg/day for seven days consecutively. On days 8 & 9, ketamine was injected intraperitoneally at a dosage of 160mg/kg/day. Haematoxylin and eosin staining was employed to examine liver tissues microscopically. Additionally, serum liver enzymes were evaluated, such as gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level.

Results: In comparison to the control, the injection of ketamine caused significant elevations in serum ALT (65.41±8.74U/L), AST (153.97±20.65U/L), and GGT (3.36±0.53U/L) (p < 0.001). This suggests that the liver damage was substantial. Histopathological analysis of the ketamine-treated cohort demonstrated oncotic and coagulative necrosis, widespread hydropic degeneration, pronounced inflammatory cell infiltration, and vascular congestion. Palmitoleic acid pretreatment greatly mitigated these alterations, lowering ALT, AST, and GGT levels to near-control values and substantially enhancing hepatic histoarchitecture, with very slight residual inflammatory infiltration and minimal degenerative effects.

Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrated that both histopathological and biochemical manifestations that were induced following ketamine administration have been attenuated by using palmitoleic acid as prophylaxis. This indicates that palmitoleic acid could show marked protective effects against ketamine-induced liver damage in rats.