D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide induced liver injury is a documented model of experimental liver hepatitis. Omega-3 fatty acids are considered as a potential therapeutic agents for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases through their incorporation in the cell membrane. This study aimed to investigate the role of flaxseed oil administration in two different doses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced hepatitis in D-galactosamine (Dga1N) sensitized rats.Sixty healthy male albino rats were divided into five groups (control, flaxseed oil, LPS/DGalN, treated group I and treated group II). Urinary 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OhdG) was determined by HPLC. Serum liver functions (ALT, AST and ALP) activities were determined. Liver malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities were measured. Liver tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α) and Interleukin- 1α (IL- 1α) were done. Liver cyclooxygenases (COX-1, 2) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results showed that LPS/DGalN administration significantly increased serum liver functions, IL-1α , TNF-α , MDA, urinary 8-OhdG concomitant with a reduction in liver GSH and SOD compared to the control group while, flaxseed oil administration attenuated these parameters . In conclusion, flaxseed oil as a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids has a powerful effect in preventing oxidative stress as well as liver inflammation.
