Hepatoprotective Effects of Saponins from Rhizoma panacis majoris on Hepatic Fibrosis Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Rats

Saponins from Rhizoma Panacis Majoris (SRPM), the bioactive component in Rhizoma Panacis Majoris, have been used extensively as a remedy for liver injury diseases and achieved good clinical efficacy, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The goal of our present study was to further confirm SRPM hepatoprotective effect, and evaluate that whether SRPM attenuate oxidative stress and fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic injury, based on these results, investigate the probable mechanisms involved. At first, the separation and purification of SRPM were studied. And then, in the animal experiment, the male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, model, l-SRPM and h-SRPM group. Hepatic fibrosis model were made according to our previous studies reported. At the same time, the experimental rats were treated respectively with relative drugs, once a day for 8 weeks. Hepatoprotective effects of SRPM were evaluated by liver function, total antioxidant capacity and total-superoxide dismutase, histopathological observations and the hepatic fibrosis relative gene expressions. In the study, we found that SRPM significantly improved liver function, serum antioxidation level, reversed the upregulated α-SMA and TIMP1 mRNA expressions, and further increased the MMP1 mRNA expression. Our studies indicated that SRPM exerted beneficially hepatoprotective effects on the CCl4 induced hepatic fibrosis, mainly enhancing liver tissue antioxidant capacity, reducing the lipid peroxidation of hepatocyte membranes, and then alleviating hepatic fibrosis and hepatic cell death.

Download Full-text

The Main Components Analysis of Laetiporus sulphureu Crude Extract and its Hepatoprotective Effect on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.568-570.1934 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 568-570 ◽

pp. 1934-1939

Author(s):

Wen Jun Sun ◽

Hai Bo He ◽

Jun Zhi Wang ◽

Ling Wu ◽

Fan Cheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Tetrachloride ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Hepatic Fibrosis ◽

Liver Cell ◽

Cell Injury ◽

Cell Damage ◽

Hepatoprotective Effect ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Hepatoprotective Effects ◽

Main Components

To analysis the main component of Laetiporus sulphureus primary separation product (LSPSP) and observe the hepatoprotective effect of LSPSP. Silica column and HPLC was adopted to isolate main constituents from LSPSP. The main components were analyzed and identified by HPLC and HNMR. And then its hepatoprotective effect was evaluated, we used Sprague-Dawley rats as experimental rats, and made hepatic fibrosis models induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).The hepatoprotective effects of SPSP on hepatic fibrosis of rats were evaluated by content of AST and ALT, levels of liver cell injury and degree of liver fibrosis. In the study, we found that LSPSP mainly contains eburicoic acid and trametenolic acid B. After treatment with LSPSP, the levels of serum AST and ALT significantly decreased, alleviated liver cell damage, reduced the collagen deposition in the liver tissue, and then inhibited liver fibrosis. Our studies indicated that LSPSP main components areeburicoic acid and trametenolic acid B, it exerted beneficially hepatoprotective effects on the CCl4 induced hepatic fibrosis.

Download Full-text

Total Antioxidant Capacity in HBV Carriers, a Promising Biomarker for Evaluating Hepatic Fibrosis: A Pilot Study

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10010077 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 77

Author(s):

Jing-Hua Wang ◽

Sung-Bae Lee ◽

Dong-Soo Lee ◽

Chang-Gue Son

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Hepatic Fibrosis ◽

Total Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Hbv Dna ◽

Total Antioxidant

Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the progression of chronic hepatitis B; however, it is unclear whether the status of blood oxidative stress and antioxidant components differs depending on the degree of hepatic fibrosis. To explore the relationship between oxidative stress/antioxidant capacity and the extent of hepatic fibrosis, fifty-four subjects with liver fibrosis (5.5 ≤ liver stiffness measurement (LSM) score ≤ 16.0 kPa) by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) were analyzed. From the analysis of eight kinds of serum oxidative stress/antioxidant profiles and liver fibrosis degrees, the level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) reflected a negative correlation with the severity of hepatic fibrosis (Pearson correlation, r = −0.35, p = 0.01). Moreover, TAC showed higher sensitivity (73.91%) than the aspartate transaminase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI, 56.52%) in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Interestingly, the TAC level finely reflected the fibrosis degree in inactive carriers (HBV DNA < 2000 IU/mL), while the APRI did in active carriers (HBV DNA > 2000 IU/mL). In conclusion, TAC is a promising biomarker for evaluating the progression of liver fibrosis in patients with HBV, and this finding may indicate the involvement of TAC-composing factors in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis in chronic HBV carriers.

Download Full-text

Adequate or elevated dietary folate does not ameliorate the reduced antioxidant capacity induced by vitamin B12 deficiency in aged rats

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000537 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 90 (3-4) ◽

pp. 239-248

Author(s):

Natalia Úbeda ◽

Teresa Partearroyo ◽

Gregorio Varela-Moreiras

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Total Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Control Diet ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

Control Group ◽

Vitamin B ◽

Aged Rats ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Deficient Diet ◽

Total Antioxidant

Abstract. Folate could have an antioxidant role but also may be detrimental under vitamin B12 deficiency. The aim was to investigate the effect of different dietary folic acid (FA) levels, on oxidative stress in B12 induced deficient aged rats. Thirty-five male aged Sprague–Dawley rats, were fed either a vitamin B12 deficient (n = 27) or a control diet (n = 8) during eight weeks. Then, animals were divided into four groups: B12 and FA deficient diet (DBDF), B12 deficient diet and FA control diet (DBCF), B12 deficient diet and FA supplemented diet (DBSF), and control diet (CBCF) for a 30 days period. Methionine metabolism and antioxidant status were evaluated. Both vitamins deficiencies elevated serum homocysteine (Hcy) (7.7 vs. 4.3 μmol/L, p < 0.05) and reduced S-adenosylmethionine hepatic content (283.7 vs. 581.9 μg/g protein, p < 0.05), the total antioxidant capacity (155.7 vs. 189.3 μmol/L, p < 0.05), glutathione (GSH) (120.5 vs. 419.9 μg/mg protein, p < 0.05) and oxidized glutathione (0.9 vs. 2.6 μg/mg protein, p < 0.05) compared to control. Activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzymes or damage to macromolecules were unaffected. Adequate or elevated dietary FA in B12 deficiency rats decreased Hcy (5.7 and 6.3 μmol/L, respectively) and increased total antioxidant capacity (189.8 and 192.6 μmol/L, respectively) to values similar to control group, whereas GSH concentration was significantly lower than control (209.1 and 208.0 μg/mg protein respectively, p < 0.05). In conclusion, in a vitamin B12 deficiency status, adequate or elevated FA prevented impairment in one-carbon metabolism, but does not fully reverse the decrease in antioxidant capacity.

Download Full-text

Effects of Light-To-Moderate Chinese Baijiu Consumption on Serum Lipid Metabolism and Liver Function of Sprague-Dawley Rats

Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research ◽

10.37290/ctnr2641-452x.20:185-191 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 185-191

Author(s):

Nan-Nan Zhi ◽

Guo-Ying Liu ◽

Cui-Fang Wu ◽

Ru-Jing Xu ◽

Wei Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lipid Metabolism ◽

Liver Function ◽

Serum Lipid ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Moderate Amount ◽

Pure Ethanol ◽

Total Antioxidant

We have investigated the effect of light-to-moderate baijiu consumption on serum lipid metabolism and liver function in vivo. To this end, six groups of rats received increasing dosage of baijiu (0.5–5.0 mL/kg) for 8 weeks and multiple markers of lipid metabolism and liver function were evaluated. Compared to that of the blank control, at the baijiu dosage of 3.0 mL/kg, the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity increased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas malondialdehyde level decreased (P < 0.05). In comparison to the pure ethanol groups, with baijiu groups at the same level of alcohol revealed that baijiu had noticeably positive impact in ameliorating the changes in the values of all parameters examined. In summary, regular consumption of light-to-moderate amount of baijiu may significantly enhance the metabolism of serum lipids and enhance liver function.

Download Full-text

Astilbin Protects Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

Pharmacology ◽

10.1159/000514594 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Xiao-Hui Sun ◽

He Zhang ◽

Xiao-Ping Fan ◽

Zhao-Hui Wang

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Carbon Tetrachloride ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Hepatic Fibrosis ◽

Food Plants ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Glutamate Cysteine Ligase ◽

Collagen Production ◽

And Oxidative Stress

Background: Hepatic fibrosis is an inflammatory liver disease, and there is no effective therapy at present. Astilbin is a bioactive ingredient found in many medicinal and food plants, with antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and related molecular mechanism of astilbin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Methods: Liver fibrosis was induced by injection of CCl4 in male Sprague-Dawley rats, and those rats were then treated with astilbin at different concentrations. Pathological changes, collagen production, inflammatory cytokine, and oxidative stress were evaluated to evaluate the effects of astilbin on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis. Real-time PCR and western blot were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of indicated genes. Results: We discovered that CCl4 caused significant fibrosis damage in rat liver, and astilbin dose-dependently improved the liver functions and fibrosis degree. Astilbin treatment significantly decreased collagen production, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in vivo. Mechanically, administration of astilbin obviously elevated the hepatic levels of Nrf2 and its downstream components, including NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1), heme oxygenase (HO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and glutamate cysteine ligase modifier. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings demonstrate that astilbin could protect against CCL4 induced-liver fibrosis in rats.

Download Full-text

The preventive role of Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis) in immune and oxidative insults in a stress-induced rat model

Journal of Veterinary Research ◽

10.2478/jvetres-2021-0033 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 65 (2) ◽

pp. 193-200

Author(s):

Nilay Seyidoğlu ◽

Eda Köşeli ◽

Rovshan Gurbanlı ◽

Cenk Aydın

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Rat Model ◽

Spirulina Platensis ◽

Arthrospira Platensis ◽

Male Rats ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Immunological Parameters ◽

Serum Corticosterone ◽

Total Antioxidant

Abstract Introduction There is a balance between oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity and immune response. Their roles in physiological and behavioural mechanisms are important for the maintenance of the organism’s internal equilibrium. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effects of the exogenous alga Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis) in a stress-induced rat model, and to describe its possible mechanism of action. Material and Methods Thirty-six adult male Sprague Dawley rats were separated into four groups: control (C), stress (S), S. platensis (Sp), and S. platensis + stress (SpS). The rats in groups Sp and SpS were fed with 1,500 mg/kg b.w./day Spirulina platensis for 28 days. All rats were exposed to prolonged light phase conditions (18 h light : 6 h dark) for 14 days. The SpS and S groups were exposed to stress by being kept isolated and in a crowded environment. Blood samples were obtained by puncturing the heart on the 28th day. The effect of stress on serum corticosterone, oxidative stress markers (TOS, TAC, PON1, OSI) and immunological parameters (IL-2, IL-4, IFN-ɣ) were tested. Also, the brain, heart, intestines (duodenum, ileum, and colon), kidney, liver, spleen, and stomach of the rats were weighed. Results Serum corticosterone levels were higher in the S group than in the C group, and significantly lower in the SpS group than in the S group. Mean total antioxidant capacity were lower in the S group than in the C group, and Spirulina reversed this change. Although not significantly different, IL-2 was lower in the S group than in the C group. However, in the SpS group, IL-2 increased due to Spirulina platensis mitigating effects of stress. Conclusion Male rats fed a diet with Spirulina platensis could experience significantly milder physiological changes during stress, although stress patterns may be different. Exogenous antioxidant supplements merit further investigation in animals and humans where the endogenous defence mechanism against stress may not be sufficient.

Download Full-text

Acupuncture Combined with Curcumin Attenuates Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats

Acupuncture in Medicine ◽

10.1136/acupmed-2011-010116 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 132-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Feng Zhang ◽

Jin Ma ◽

Yin Lu ◽

Guang-Xia Ni ◽

Chun-Yan Ni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Tetrachloride ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Hepatic Fibrosis ◽

Smooth Muscle Actin ◽

Sham Acupuncture ◽

Male Rats ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Combined Use ◽

Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase

Background Increasingly, studies demonstrate the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy against liver fibrosis. Curcumin is a natural product with antifibrotic effects, but has poor pharmacokinetic profiles. This study aimed to evaluate whether acupuncture combined with curcumin could more potently attenuate liver fibrosis in chemical intoxicated rats. Methods 60 Sprague–Dawley male rats were randomly divided into control, model, sham, acupuncture, curcumin and combination therapy groups. During the establishment of fibrosis using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), acupuncture at LR3, LR14, BL18 and ST36 and/or curcumin treatment by mouth were performed simultaneously. After treatment, pathological indexes and histology for hepatic injury and fibrogenesis were detected. The expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components was also determined. Results Acupuncture combined with curcumin potently protected the liver from CCl4-induced injury and fibrogenesis, as indicated by reduced levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, hyaluronic acid, laminin and procollagen III. Combined use also led to significant liver histological improvements. Furthermore, combined use effectively inhibited ECM expression such as α-smooth muscle actin, fibronectin and α1(1) collagen. Conclusions Acupuncture treatment could significantly enhance the antifibrotic efficacy of curcumin on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats in vivo, suggesting that a combination of acupuncture with curcumin may be exploited for the prevention of hepatic fibrosis.

Download Full-text

Effects of Diet and Phytogenic Inclusion on the Antioxidant Capacity of the Broiler Chicken Gut

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030739 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 739

Author(s):

Eirini Griela ◽

Vasileios Paraskeuas ◽

Konstantinos C. Mountzouris

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Antioxidant Response ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Poultry Production ◽

Gut Health ◽

Gene Expressions ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Study Results ◽

Total Antioxidant ◽

Diet Type

The reduction in energy and protein dietary levels, whilst preserving the gut health of broilers, is warranted in modern poultry production. Phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) are purported to enhance performance and antioxidant capacity in broilers. However, few studies have assessed PFA effects on a molecular level related to antioxidant response. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of administering two dietary types differing in energy and protein levels (L: 95% and H: 100% of hybrid optimal recommendations) supplemented with or without PFA (−, +) on gene expressions relevant for antioxidant response along the broiler gut. Interactions of diet type with PFA (i.e., treatments L−, L+, H−, H+) were determined for critical antioxidant and cyto-protective genes (i.e., nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway) and for the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the proximal gut. In particular, the overall antioxidant response along the broiler gut was increased upon reduced dietary energy and protein intake (diet type L) and consistently up-regulated by PFA addition. The study results provide a new mechanistic insight of diet and PFA functions with respect to the overall broiler gut antioxidant capacity.

Download Full-text

Hepatoprotective effects of Yulangsan flavone against carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

Phytomedicine ◽

10.1016/j.phymed.2017.07.005 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 33 ◽

pp. 28-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Youjia Guo ◽

Xingmei Liang ◽

Mingyu Meng ◽

Hongxia Chen ◽

Xiaojie Wei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Tetrachloride ◽

Hepatic Fibrosis ◽

Hepatoprotective Effects

Download Full-text

Effects of Xenobiotics on Total Antioxidant Capacity

Interdisciplinary Toxicology ◽

10.2478/v10102-012-0019-0 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 117-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Carlos FerrariKusano Bucalen

Keyword(s):

Carbon Monoxide ◽

Carbon Tetrachloride ◽

Occupational Exposure ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Blood Cells ◽

Total Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Toxic Elements ◽

Antioxidant Defenses ◽

Total Antioxidant

ABSTRACT The objective of this article was to review the effects of xenobiotics on total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Measurement of TAC is appropriate for evaluation of the total antioxidant defenses of blood, cells, and different kinds of tissues and organs. TAC is reduced by alcoholism, smoking, and exposure to radiation, herbicides, carbon monoxide, carbon tetrachloride, lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, aluminum, and other toxic elements. The test is also an important tool in evaluating environmental and occupational exposure.

Download Full-text