Abstract
In this study, the protective role of naringenin on the circadian variations of liver marker enzymes in N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) induced hepatocarinogenesis in Wistar albino male rats was assessed. Experimental rats (160–180 g) were divided into five groups. Control rats and was given corn oil orally for 16 weeks. Groups 2, 4 and 5 were administered with 0.01% NDEA in drinking water for 15 weeks to induce hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Starting 1 week prior to NDEA administration group 4 animals were treated with naringenin orally for 16 weeks; 10 weeks after NDEA administration group 5 animals were treated with naringenin and continued till the end of the experiment period (16 weeks). After the experimental period the temporal characteristics (acrophase, amplitude and mesor) of liver marker enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate and alanine transaminases (ALT and AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were analyzed. Elevated liver marker enzymes (increased mesor and delayed acrophase of AST, ALT, ALP and GGT) were found in NDEA induced rats. Administration of naringenin on pre- and post-treated groups significantly alters these changes. Variations in acrophase, amplitude and r-values were also found in control and experimental rats. Circadian rhythms of hepatic marker enzymes and their alterations during NDEA/naringenin treatments were detectable. These findings suggest that the potential chemopreventive effect of naringenin alter the circadian patterns of liver marker enzymes in hepatocarcinogenesis induced rats.