Action of Verapamil

Liver fibrosis progresses to cirrhosis in alcoholic hepatitis and produce hepatocellular dysfunction, which is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. This study investigate the potential toxicity of CCl4 initiated by ethanol as hepatotoxic agents on liver cellular structure glycogen, DNA contents and certain enzymes, and also to evaluate the effect of a certain calcium ions antagonist like verapamil on carbon tetrachloride and ethyl alcohol-induced liver cellular injury in rats. Light microscopy revealed that rats given ethanol and CCl4 combined together showed liver cell fibrosis and necrosis, nuclear fragmentation and inflammatory response. Glycogen disorder and DNA damage were also detected. On the other hand, animals that were given verapamil reduced hepatocytes degeneration and necrosis, delayed formation of liver fibrosis was detected. There was marked improvement in hepatocytes architecture, glycogen and DNA contents. Electron microscopic and biochemical studies seem to confirm these findings.