Protective Effects of Lumbricus Extract on the Antioxidant System and Liver in an Experimentally Created Liver Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Model in Rats

In this experimental study, we investigated the effects of Lumbricus extract on biochemical and histological markers of liver IR injury model in rats. A total of 10-12-weeks old, 250-300 g Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into groups of five (n = 7). Group I (Sham), Group II (IR), Group III (IR + 10 mg/kg Lumbricus extract), Group IV (IR + 20 mg/kg Lumbricus extract), and Group V (IR + 40 mg/kg Lumbricus extract) were marked, respectively. Lumbricus extract was dissolved with saline and administered orally. All rats except in Group I were applied ischemia for 45 minutes and reperfusion for 24 hours. The data obtained at the end of the experiment were evaluated by histological and biochemical methods, where we investigated catalase (CAT) superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as a histological examination of liver tissue samples. When MDA enzyme activity levels were compared with the sham and Lumbricus extract groups, it was found to be significantly higher than the IR group. SOD and CAT activity enzyme levels were found to be significantly lower. Our findings showed that Lumbricus extract could have a protective effect against experimentally induced IR injury in the liver by increasing antioxidant enzyme levels and decreasing lipid peroxidation and liver injury.