Background and purpose: Nitrite is used for preserving food, especially in processed meat products. Processed foods containing nitrite are highly used in many countries. This harmful substances in water, soil and ecosystem endanger the health of people. In this study, we examined the effect of sodium nitrite on liver enzymes and histological structure of the liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods: In this study, 60 adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n= 10 per group): a control group, experimental groups receiving 175 and 350 mg/kg/day sodium nitrite, a diabetic control group, and diabetic groups receiving 175 and 350 mg/kg/day sodium nitrite for 60 days. Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected after anesthesia and the serum AST, ALP, and ALT were measured. Also, liver tissues were removed to investigate the histological changes. Statistical analysis was done by one way variation and student’s ANOVA Test. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

Results: The AST, ALP, and ALT levels significantly increased in diabetic groups and the group receiving 175 and 350 mg/kg sodium nitrite (P< 0.05). The mean levels of AST, ALP, and ALT levels in the diabetic group receiving 350 mg/kg sodium nitrite were 239 ± 3.8, 286 ± 3.5, 162 ± 3.6, respectively.

Conclusion: The results showed that sodium nitrite can induce adverse effects on the liver, especially on the liver in diabetic rats.