Zinc supplementation attenuates thioacetamide-induced liver injury and hyperglycemia in mice.
Zinc supplementation has been shown to improve not only liver dysfunction but also glucose intolerance in subjects with liver cirrhosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of zinc supplementation on the changes in circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and total antioxidant capacity in mice with thioacetamide-induced liver injury. The protective effect of concurrent zinc administration for thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity was also examined. The results showed that zinc treatment significantly attenuated thioacetamide-induced liver injury and hyperglycemia. Furthermore, thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity was markedly weakened by the simultaneous zinc administration. These effects might be attributed to reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production and elevated total antioxidant capacity induced by the mineral. Our data suggest that zinc supplementation might be beneficial for the subjects with a high susceptibility to liver injury.
Department of Medical Laboratories, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Yuh-Min
YM
Song
Ming-Der
MD
Chen
D000818:Animals; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D013853:Thioacetamide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013853:Thioacetamide; D015032:Zinc