Abstract:
Background: Cholestasis is one of the major complications of parenteral nutrition. The purpose of this experimental study was to detect the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), vitamin E (Vit E), and interferon-α (IFN-α) on prevention of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis. Methods: Ten experimental groups, each consisting of 10 4-week-old Wistar albino rats, were formed: control 10- and 20-day groups (C10 and C20), parenteral nutrition-only 10- and 20-day groups (T10 and T20), ASA-supplemented parenteral nutrition 10- and 20-day groups (TA10 and TA20), Vit E- supplemented parenteral nutrition 10- and 20-day groups (TE10 and TE20), and IFN-α-supplemented 10- and 20-day groups (TF10 and TF20). Acetylsalicylic acid, Vit E, and IFN-α were administered in the parenteral nutrition solution through an intraperitoneal route. At the end of the study, serum total bile acids, serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, and alkaline phosphatase were measured biochemically. In addition, the histopathologic findings of cholestasis were evaluated by using a morphologic portal inflammation index. Results: Although the difference in the serum levels of transferases and alkaline phosphatase was not significant among all groups (p > 0.05), it was significant in total bile acid levels (p < 0.05). There was also a significant correlation between the histopathologic changes of the liver and serum total bile acid concentrations (p < 0.05). Portal inflammation in varying degrees was seen in all experimental groups, but not in the control groups. Serum total bile acid concentrations in parenteral nutrition groups receiving ASA were significantly lower than those in the parenteral nutrition-only group (p < 0.01). Although Vit E-supplemented parenteral nutrition was effective in preventing the development of cholestasis in the 10-day group (p < 0.05), it was not effective in the 20- day group when compared with incidence of cholestasis in the parenteral nutrition-only group (p > 0.05). Conversely, IFN-α-supplemented parenteral nutrition had no effect on cholestasis in the 10-day group (p > 0.05) but lowered cholestasis in the 20-day group when compared with incidence the parenteral nutrition-only group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that acetylsalicylic acid may be beneficial in preventing, and α-interferon in treating, parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis.