Protective effect of levamisole on carbon tetrachloride-induced lipid peroxidation and hepatotoxicity.

It has been suggested that lipid peroxidation is an important factor in the pathogenesis of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) hepatotoxicity. In the present study, experimental liver injury induced by CCl4 could be prevented by levamisole, an antihelminthic agent and immunomodulator. Despite of exposure to CCl4 tissue levels of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reacting substances in the liver were not increased in rats pretreated with levamisole. On the other hand, when we administered levamisole, 150 mg p. o. daily given on three consecutive days of each week, to six elderly patients with arteriosclerosis. They all showed a significant decrease in serum TBA reactive substances during the 12 weeks of therapy. This provides evidence that levamisole prevents liver damage by CCl4, and indicate the possibility that levamisole might have an antioxidative effect or may prevent the accumulation of TBA reactive substances.