title: Protection against microcystin-LR-induced hepatotoxicity by Silymarin: biochemistry, histopathology, and lethality.
abstract: Microcystin-LR, a cyclic heptapeptide synthesized by the blue-green algae, Microcystis aeruginosa, is a potent hepatotoxin. Pathological examination of livers from mice and rats that received microcystin-LR revealed severe, peracute, diffuse, centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis, and hemorrhage. These changes were correlated with increased serum activities of sorbitol dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase. Pretreatment of either rats or mice with a single dose of silymarin, a flavonolignane isolated from the wild artichoke (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn), completely abolished the lethal effects, pathological changes, and significantly decreased the levels of serum enzymes induced by microcystin-LR intoxication.
authors.affiliation: Medical Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland 21702-5011.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mereish
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Bunner
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Ragland
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Creasia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D052998:Microcystins; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012838:Silymarin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008387:Marine Toxins; D052998:Microcystins; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D012838:Silymarin; C057862:cyanoginosin LR