Oxidative stress and inflammation caused by 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate in rat livers

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism underlying toxicity in the livers of male and female rats after treatment with 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C 14 mim]BF 4 , 0 [control], 12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg) for 90 days. The results showed that [C 14 mim]BF 4 exposure led to a high level of ROS and MDA in rat livers and the lower expression of Nrf2 and its downstream related antioxidant proteins. In addition, the expression of NF-κB p65 and the levels of inflammatory cytokines were upregulated in exposure groups rats’ liver. After 30 days of cessation of exposure, the liver injury of rats in the 50 mg/kg exposure group was alleviated, and the above indicators were improved to varying degrees. The paper shows that [C 14 mim]BF 4 could damage rat liver through oxidative stress and inflammatory pathway.