Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access published online on February 9, 2008
Alcohol and Alcoholism, doi:10.1093/alcalc/agm164
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Protective Effects of Sericin Protein on Alcohol-Mediated Liver Damage in Mice
Sericultural Research Institute, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou 310021, China
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed at: No. 198 Shiqiao Road, Hangzhou 310021, China. Tel.: +86–571-86404288; Fax: +86–571-86404298; E-mail: dongfeng_ji{at}126.com
Received 3 April 2007; first review notified ; in revised form 10 July 2007; accepted 9 October 2007
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Abstract |
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Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of sericin protein (SP) on alcohol-induced hepatic injury in mice and the possible mechanisms. Methods: SP (0.375, 0.75 and 1.50 g/kg body weight) was dissolved in distilled water and given to mice by gavage 1 hour before the alcohol (56% wt/vol, 14.2 ml/kg b.w.) treatment for 30 days, then blood, urine and liver were collected, processed and used for alcohol concentration mensuration, various biochemical estimations and histopathological examination. Results: The concentration of alcohol evidently decreased in serum and increased in urine in SP treated mice as compared to alcohol-administered animals. Chronic alcohol administration resulted in significantly increase in the levels of transaminase (AST and ALT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) but decrease of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum and liver. Hepatic triglyceride (TG) also increased. When mice ingested high doses of SP (0.75 and 1.50 g/kg b.w.) the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the serum were restored to normal. However, hepatic CAT and GSH were still below normal, although a trend of significant increases was observed in comparison with alcohol treatment group. Conclusions: The results indicated that SP was able to hasten the alcohol elimination through urine directly and enhance the ethanol oxidation rate in liver. Simultaneously, SP may exert a protective effect against lipid peroxidation by scavenging reactive oxygen species and elevating the activity of antioxidant enzymes, in consequence prevented the peroxidative deterioration of structural lipids in membranous organelles, especially mitochondria and karyon.