Beta-carotene (provitamin A) decreases the severity of CCl4-induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in rats.

Earlier data from experiments in rats have shown that administration of retinyl esters (vitamin A) strongly influences the effects of CCl₄ on the liver. The accumulation of collagen was inhibited, but an increase in CCl₄-toxicity with high mortality was observed. The present study was conducted to examine the effects of β-carotene (provitamin A) on CCl₄-related general and hepatic toxicity in rats. Oral administration of β-carotene during CCl₄-treatment resulted, biochemically, in a significantly lower increase in the hydroxyproline liver content and, histopathologically, in less severe liver fibrosis as compared with the liver of rats not treated with β-carotene. The study also showed that β-carotene administration could prevent the long-term loss of retinoids from the CCl₄-injured liver. No significant toxic effects of β-carotene, as previously found with retinyl esters (vitamin A), were observed. This experimental study suggests that β-carotene has the therapeutic potential to decrease the severity of liver fibrosis without marked toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]