title: Metformin protects against carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in mice.
abstract: In the present study, the hepatoprotective effect of metformin (Met), a dimethylbiguanide anti-hyperglycemic, was examined in a mouse model of liver damage induced by chronic repeated administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) (5 microl/kg, twice a week for 12 weeks). Met, when given orally in drinking water at an estimated daily dose of 25 or 50 mg/kg for 10 weeks starting 2 weeks after CCl(4) challenge, protected against CCl(4) hepatotoxicity. The results indicate that the hepatoprotection afforded by Met treatment at a dose of 25 mg/kg against CCl(4) toxicity may at least in part be mediated by the enhancement of mitochondrial glutathione redox status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, China.
authors.forename: Michel K T
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: Po-Yee
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Duncan H F
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Kam-Ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000097:blood; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D020011:Protective Agents; D008687:Metformin; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D000410:Alanine Transaminase