The Ability of Vitamin A, Alone or in Combination with Vitamins C and E, in Ameliorating the Side Effects of Penicillin and Streptomycin on Hepatic Damage in Guinea Pigs

The administration of vitamin A (10000 IU/kg b.w), vitamin A, C and E (10000 IU/kg, 100 mg/kg 100 mg/kg b.w), penicillin (50000 IU/kg b.w), penicillin + vitamin A, penicillin + vitamin A, C and E, streptomycin (50 mg/kg b.w), streptomycin + vitamin A, streptomycin + vitamins A, C and E for 30 days caused a significant increase in the levels of AST, ALT and ALP, and also caused a significant decrease in the levels of total protein and albumin in penicillin and streptomycin treated groups. However, co-administration of penicillin and streptomycin with vitamin A alone or in combination with vitamins C and E ameliorated the harmful effects of penicillin and streptomycin in most of the tested parameters. Vitamin A, either alone or in combination with vitamin C and E, has a protective effect on the histological changes of liver tissues induced either by penicillin or streptomycin administration. The result of the present work reveals for the first time that vitamin A alone or in combination with vitamin C and E plays an important role as cytoprotective compounds on hepatic damage in guinea pigs. Hence, further studies on the possible uses of vitamins as protective compounds during treatment with antibiotics are needed.