This study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) against aflatoxin 81 (AFBl) exposure in perfused rat livers by evaluating damage marker enzymes, antioxidant defense systems (glutathione, GSH) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, 'vIDA). Sixteen rats were divided randomly into four experimental groups: control, PTX, AFB 1 and AFB 1 + PTX. Rats in the control group were infused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer. Rats in the AFB I-treated group received approximately 1 ppm and the PTX- treated group received 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally 24 h before surgery. Alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were increased by AFB 1 and decreased by PTX. PTX also ameliorated the increased concentration of MDA caused by MB 1. PTX did not compensate for the decrease in GSH caused by MB 1. These results imply that PTX has an antioxidant effect by inhibiting free radicals, and prior treatment with PTX ameliorates the effects of MB I-induced lipid peroxidation but does not compensate GSH depots.

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