The effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), methionine, tocopherol acetate, and ascorbic acid in a feed supplement on rats' morphological and biochemical blood parameters under carbon tetrachloride poisoning

The article presents the research results on the feed supplement “Silimevit” effect on the morphological blood parameters and protein-synthesizing function of the liver in rats under carbon tetrachloride intoxication. The study used a classical model of subcellular hepatocyte membrane damage and oxidative stress development induced by carbon tetrachloride exposure. The experiment was conducted on sexually mature male Wistar rats weighing 180–200 g, kept on a standard diet at the institute's vivarium of the State Scientific Research Control Institute of Veterinary Drugs and Feed Additives. The animals were divided into three groups of 20 rats each: the control group – intact (healthy) animals first experimental group – rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride; second experimental group – rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride and treated with the “Silimevit” feed supplement. Experimental intoxication was induced by administering carbon tetrachloride twice (with a 48-hour interval) via intragastric administration at a dose of 0.1 ml per 100 g of body weight in the form of a 50 % oil solution. The second experimental group received the “Silimevit” supplement at a dose of 0.1 g per 100 g of body weight with food for 30 days. “Silimevit” contains milk thistle fruits (Silybum marianum), selenium, methionine, and vitamins E and C. The study found that carbon tetrachloride intoxication disrupts the physiological balance of hematological parameters, as indicated by a decrease in red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, and hemoglobin content per erythrocyte, along with an increase in leukocyte count and hemoglobin mass per erythrocyte. Additionally, liver protein-synthesizing function was impaired in intoxicated animals. The results confirmed the positive effects of “Silimevit” on intoxicated rats, leading to the normalization of blood morphology and liver protein synthesis. By days 25 and 30 of the experiment, these parameters in the second experimental group were within physiological norms.