Liver fibrosis is a reversible wound-healing response that occurs following liver injury. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein in liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). In addition, the effects of these agents were compared in the same study.

In this study, rats were randomly allocated into 8 groups, consisting of 10 rats each, as follows: a control group, CCl₄, L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine, genistein, CCl₄ and L-carnitine, CCl₄ and N-acetylcysteine, and CCl₄ and genistein. At the end of 6weeks, blood and liver tissue specimens were collected. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT); aspartate aminotransferase (AST); complete blood count, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB); interleukin-6 (IL-6); liver glutathione level; oxidant/antioxidant status; scores of hepatic steatosis, necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis; and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin were studied.

Although the ALT and AST values in the group administered CCl₄ were significantly higher than in all the other groups (P<0.05), there was no significant difference between the control group and the groups administered CCl₄ combined with L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the levels of TNF-α, PDGF-BB and IL-6 (P<0.05) between the CCl₄ group and the groups with L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein added to CCl₄. N-acetylcysteine and genistein had positive effects on the oxidant/antioxidant status and on liver necrosis and fibrosis scores.

In our study, L-carnitine, N-acetylcysteine and genistein showed significant protective effects in liver fibrosis induced by CCl₄.