LAUSR

BACKGROUND Liver damage is a global health concern associated with a high mortality rate. Sodium benzoate (SB) is a widely used preservative in the food industry with a wide range of applications. However, there's a lack of scientific reports on its effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatic dysfunction. OBJECTIVE The present study investigated the influence of SB on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-eight rats were randomly allocated into four groups: control (received distilled water), SB (received 600mg/kg), LPS (received 0.25 mg/kg), and LPS + SB (received LPS, 0.25 mg/kg, and SB, 600mg/kg). SB was administered orally for 14 days while LPS was administered intraperitoneally for 7 days. RESULTS Administration of SB to rats with hepatocyte injury exacerbated liver damage with a significant increase in the activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). We also observed that SB aggravated LPS-mediated hepatic oxidative stress occasioned by a marked decrease in antioxidant status with a concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, LPS - mediated increase in inflammatory biomarkers as well as histological deterioration in the liver was exacerbated following the administration of SB to rats. CONCLUSION Taken together, the study provides experimental evidence that SB exacerbates hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation in LPS - mediated liver injury.