Modulation of d-galactosamine/lipopolysacharride–induced fulminant hepatic failure by nilotinib

This investigation was undertaken to test the effect of nilotinib against d-galactosamine (GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–induced fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Male Swiss albino mice were orally treated with nilotinib for 3 days prior to GalN/LPS challenge. The results revealed that administration of GalN/LPS caused elevation in the mortality rate. GalN/LPS-induced severe hepatic injury was manifested by increased serum transaminases and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels as well as histopathological hepatic necrosis and inflammation. In addition, GalN/LPS increased the hepatic oxidative stress as indicated by increased malondialdehyde level, decreased glutathione content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Furthermore, GalN/LPS increased nuclear factor kappa-B activation and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1β. These biochemical and histopathological changes were markedly ameliorated by nilotinib pretreatment. On the other hand, the level of toll-like receptor-4 was increased upon GalN/LPS challenge, which was not alleviated by nilotinib pretreatment. These data demonstrate that nilotinib has hepatoprotective activity against GalN/LPS-mediated FHF in mice via anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.