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Nutrient Mixture Suppresses Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatic
Toxicity in ICR Mice
M.W. Roomi, V. Ivanov, A. Niedzwiecki, M. Rath
Dr. Rath Research Institute, 1260 Memorex Drive, Santa Clara,
CA 95050
Presented at: FASEB, San Francisco, CA, April
1-5, 2006
Published in: The FASEB Journal, Abstract 85
Abstract
Introduction:
Recent studies from our laboratory indicated that a unique nutrient
formulation consisting of lysine, proline, ascorbic acid and green
tea extract (NM) demonstrates a broad spectrum of pharmacological,
therapeutic, cardiovascular and chemoprotective properties.
Objective:
We examined the effect of NM in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride
(CT), a model of liver injury in which free radical, oxidative
stress and cytokine production are closely linked.
Materials and Methods:
Six-week-old male ICR mice were divided into four groups of five
animals each; Group A received corn oil and was used as a normal
control. Group B mice received CT (25 ?L/kg, in corn oil, ip),
group C mice were fed NM (0.5%) for two weeks, and group D mice
were dosed with CT (25 ?L/kg, in corn oil, ip) after feeding NM
(0.5%) for two weeks. All animals were sacrificed after 24 hrs.
Blood was withdrawn by cardiac puncture and serum was collected
for markers of liver and kidney. Liver and kidney were excised
for histology
Results:
Administration of CT to group B mice resulted in marked increase
in serum AST and ALT levels (markers for liver). Serum ALT and
AST in groups A and C were of low magnitude and were comparable,
whereas in group D animals these enzymes were significantly reduced.
CT had no effect on renal markers (BUN, creatinine and BUN/creatinine
ratio). CT administration caused an intense degree of liver necrosis
that was less severe in the NM fed group D.
Conclusions:
These results indicate that NM could be a useful supplement in
treating liver diseases due, in part, to its antioxidant properties
and ability to scavenge CT-associated free radicals.
Comment:
Liver disease and toxicity is common, especially with many
drug treatments. Carbon tetrachloride (CT)-induced liver injury
in mice is an excellent model to evaluate the effectiveness
of agents on inhibition or reversal of liver damage. A unique
nutrient formulation consisting primarily of lysine, proline,
ascorbic acid and green tea extract (NM) has demonstrated
a broad spectrum of pharmacological, therapeutic, cardiovascular
and chemoprotective properties. We examined the effect of
a NM supplemented diet on liver and kidney tissue and serum
markers in ICR mice dosed with CT. Administration of CT to
mice on a regular diet resulted in marked increase in serum
AST and ALT levels (markers for liver). In contrast, serum
ALT and AST levels in NM-supplemented mice were of low magnitude
and comparable to control mice (not dosed with CT). CT administration
caused an intense degree of liver necrosis that was less severe
in the NM fed group. These results are significant as they
indicate that NM has potential in treating and preventing
liver disease. |
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