Hepatoprotective Effect of Vitamin E on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Damage in Rats

Hepatotoxicity induced by industrial and agricultural chemicals is a veterinary and public health concern in Nigeria, where livestock and working animals may be exposed to harmful substances including organochlorine compounds and carbon tetrachloride in industrial settlements. Vitamin E, a lipid-soluble antioxidant, has demonstrated hepatoprotective properties in various experimental models by neutralising reactive oxygen species. This study investigated the hepatoprotective activity of Vitamin E against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Forty male rats were allocated to four groups: control receiving olive oil vehicle, carbon tetrachloride group receiving 1.5 mL/kg carbon tetrachloride in olive oil twice weekly, carbon tetrachloride plus Vitamin E group receiving 100 IU/kg Vitamin E daily, and Vitamin E-only group. All treatments continued for four weeks. At termination, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and albumin were measured. Liver sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histopathological evaluation. Carbon tetrachloride significantly elevated all liver enzyme markers and caused extensive centrilobular necrosis with macrovesicular steatosis on histopathology. Co-administration of Vitamin E significantly attenuated enzyme elevations and reduced histopathological lesion severity. Albumin levels were better preserved in the Vitamin E co-treatment group. These findings confirm the hepatoprotective potential of Vitamin E supplementation during chemical hepatotoxin exposure and suggest its utility as a supportive treatment in veterinary toxicology cases. Keywords: Vitamin E, hepatoprotection, carbon tetrachloride, liver enzymes, histopathology.