PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF VITAMIN E ON ACETAMINOPHEN– INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN FEMALE RABBITS

The protective effect of vitamin E against acetaminophen (paracetamol) induced hyperlipidemia in female rabbits was tested. Twenty female rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (five animals in each group). The first group was dosed with acetaminophen at 200 mg/kg (BW). The second group was dosed with 50 mg/kg. BW of vitamin E and the third group was treated with 200 mg/kg (BW) of acetaminophen and 50 mg/kg (BW) of vitamin E, while the last was administered with distilled water and considered as a control group. These animals were orally dosed using a micropipette for 14 days.The results showed that there was a significant (P 0.05) increase in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentrations and atherosclerosis index except high-density lipoprotein (HDL) which decreased significantly in the treated group with acetaminophen compared with the control group. On the other hand, these abovementioned parameters decreased significantly (P 0.05) except HDL concentration in the group treated with vitamin E compared with the control group. Concerning the animals treated with acetaminophen and vitamin E, the results also showed that these above mentioned parameters decreased significantly (P 0.05) except HDL concentration compared with the group treated with acetaminophen and no significant (P 0.05) difference in the above mentioned parameters compared with the control group. In conclusion, the antioxidant vitamin E may reduce the oxidative modification of LDL by acetaminophen and may be used as a therapeutic agent in preventing the development and progression of atherosclerosis