THE POTENTIAL HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF PALMITOLEIC ACID AGAINST KETAMINE-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN RATS: OXIDATIVE, INFLAMMATORY, AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EVALUATION.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the dose-dependent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and histological impacts of palmitoleic acid were evaluated subsequent ketamine-induced liver injury in rats. METHODS: Forty-five adult male albino rats were assigned to five groups (n=9 each): control, ketamine, palmitoleic acid alone, low-dose palmitoleic acid plus ketamine, and high-dose palmitoleic acid plus ketamine. Palmitoleic acid was given orally through the gavage for 7 consecutive days at doses of 100mg/kg/day or 300mg /kg/day. Hepatic injury was induced through injecting ketamine intraperitoneally at dose of 160 mg/kg/day on days 8 and 9, with an interval of 24 hours between injections. Blood and liver samples were collected on day 10 to measure the serum levels of Interleukin-6(IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and histological examination. RESULTS: In comparison to the control group, the ketamine-treated group showed significantly elevated levels of serum MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6. Hepatic injury has occurred in the ketamine-treated group, which is characterized by degeneration of hepatocytes, significant necrosis, vascular congestion and inflammatory cell infiltration. These histological and biochemical alterations were attenuated by pretreatment with palmitoleic acid in dose dependent pattern. CONCLUSION: Palmitoleic acid therapy protects rats' livers against the damage produced by ketamine. This protection was linked to reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines, less oxidative stress, and less damage to tissues. The protection was greatest at higher doses. These data suggest that palmitoleic acid may be an effective supplementary approach to mitigate ketamine-induced liver damage.