Diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a hepatocarcinogen, is found in a variety of smoked and fried foods and was reported to be hepatotoxic in mice. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a potent antioxidant used in cosmetic formulations and as a food additive and preservative. As a result, BHT was studied as a potential inhibitor in the early stages of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC. Male Wistar albino rats (n = 24) were equally subdivided. Group 1 was the negative control; Group 2 and 3 administered BHT and DEN, respectively; Group 4 received BHT followed by DEN. Blood samples and rat livers were taken for biochemical and histological investigation. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by increased liver enzymes and HCC indicators, along with reduced antioxidant and pro-apoptotic factors. AFP, AFPL3, GPC3, GSH, SOD, MDA, CASP3 and BAX expression increased significantly after DEN treatment. DEN also reduced GPx, CAT, and CYP2E1 activity, and BCl-2 expression. Moreover, in the hepatic parenchyma, the DEN caused histological alterations. Pretreatment with BHT enhanced antioxidant status while preventing histopathological and most biochemical alterations. BHT pretreatment suppresses DEN-initiated HCC by decreasing oxidative stress, triggering intrinsic mitotic apoptosis, and preventing histopathological changes in liver tissue.
Keywords: butylated hydroxytoluene; diethylnitrosamine; hepatocellular carcinoma; initiation stage; protective.