The Effects of Silymarin on Oxidative Status and Bone Characteristics in Japanese Quail Subjected to Oxidative Stress Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride

This experiment was conducted to assess the effects of Silymarin on oxidative status, bone characteristics, and some blood parameters in Japanese quail subjected to oxidative stress induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The experiment was performed as a completely randomized design with four replicates, each with 30 birds, using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two doses of Silymarin (0 and 1 mL/kg BW) and CCl4 (0 and 1 mL/kg BW). Results revealed that the interaction between Silymarin and CCl4 on concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, albumin, calcium, and alkaline phosphatase were significant (P < 0.05). In contrast, concentrations of phosphorus, total protein, and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol in blood serum did not differ between experimental treatments. Experimental treatments had a significant effect on superoxide dismutase activity in blood serum (P < 0.05), but not on glutathione peroxide activity and malondialdehyde concentration. Experimental treatments significantly affected the weight, thickness, and external and internal diameters of tibia bone (P < 0.05), but not its length, ash, volume, and density. This study shows that Silymarin has potential to attenuate adverse effects of oxidative stress induced by CCl4 in Japanese quail.