Hepatoprotective role of vitamin B12 and folic acid in arsenic intoxicated rats

The present study elucidated the protective role of vitamin B-12 with folic acid against arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity in female rats. Ingestion of sodium-arsenite-contaminated water [0.4 ppm/100 g body weight (b.w.)/day] in combination with vitamin B-12 plus folic acid (0.07 and 4.0 mu g, respectively/100 g b.w./day) for 24 days to Wistar rats offered a significant protection against alone arsenic-induced distorted liver function, damaged histoarchitecture, elevated oxidative stress, and DNA fragmentation of hepatic tissues. Arsenic only exposure decreased hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activities, and the level of nonprotein-soluble thiol (NPSH), with a concomitant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and conjugated dienes (CDs) in the liver. Vitamin supplementation restrained the increase of TBARS and CDs by restoring catalase, SOD, and NPSH levels. Restricted generation of free radicals may be correlated to the protection of DNA stability and hepatic morphology. This study explains the decisive role of vitamin B-12 with folic acid to ameliorate arsenic-mediated liver injuries.