Effects of some antioxidants on the experimental amebic liver abscess in the Hamster

The alterations that the ameba causes in the liver are diverse, but in general they are characterized by extensive zones of lithic necrosis with a limited inflammatory reaction that is not in proportion to the degree of the necrosis. The factors related to the virulence of Entamoeba histolytica include phagocytosis, collagenase, production of proteolytic enzymes, and production of free radicals of nitrogen and oxygen. In this paper the participation of the oxygen and nitrogen radicals are evaluated, determining the degree of lipid peroxidation in liver tissue and the concentration of nitrates in serum. The results obtained are the following: the peak of lipid peroxidation occurred on the 2nd day. Upon administering vitamin E (500 IU) and vitamin C (600 mg/kg body weight), the concentration of nitrates and the size of the abscess diminished. When the vitamins were administered together, the protection was greater (p < 0.05).