Abstract: Objective: To observe the effect of lutein (LU) on the hepatic ultrastructure damage induced by cisplatin (CP) in rats. Methods: Adult SD rats were randomly divided into normal saline group, CP group, LU+CP group and each group consisted of 8 animals. Rats in control group and CP group were administered orally for 1 week corn oil while those in LU+CP group were treated 40mg/kg LU solution. After feed for 7 days, animals in CP group and LU+CP group received cisplatin intraperitoneal injection at 5 mg/kg body weight while those in control group were given normal saline．On the fifth day after injection, all rats were killed, and the hepatic morphological structures were observed under light microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Results: LU could alleviate the hepatic histopathological damages induced by CP, such as the cytoplasm vacuolated, and liver portal canal fibrosis. As well, hepatic ultrastructural damages were markedly relieved in the LU protection group, which including mitochondrial cristae breakdown or loss, the endoplasmic reticulum appeared lamellar, and the nuclear chromatin condensed and marginated． Conclusion: A preventative administration with LU might protect hepatic pathological structure and ultrastructure from the damages induced by cisplatin in rats．

Key words: Lutein, Cisplatin, Liver, Ultrastructure