title: Effect of gamma irradiation on the efficacy of beta-glucan against acetaminophen induced toxicity in mice.
abstract: The present study was conducted to compare the efficacy of unirradiated beta-glucan (UBG) and gamma irradiated beta-glucan (GIBG) against acetaminophen (APAP) induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Mice of BALB/c strain were pretreated with UBG and GIBG (50mg/kg, p.o.) for 7 days and on the 8th day they received an overdose of APAP (500 mg/kg, i.p.). Eight hours after the APAP injection, the levels of serum aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured and liver, kidney and lung tissue were examined for morphological changes. A significant elevation (p<0.001) of the levels of AST and ALT was observed in mice toxicated with APAP. Histology data revealed severe liver centrilobular necrosis, portal vein damage with apparent toxicity in renal glomerulus and lung inflammation associated with edema. However, a significant inhibition (p<0.05) in the elevation of AST and ALT was observed in mice that received UBG and GIBG compared with APAP-treated mice. Histology examination revealed the non-statistical difference between the protective effects of GIBG and UBG against acetaminophen challenge. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that gamma irradiation induced no severe alteration in the protective activity of beta-glucan against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Team for Radiation Food Science & Biotechnology, Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Woon
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eui-Hong
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Byun
authors.forename: Nak-Yun
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Hanumantha Rao Balaji
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Raghavendran
authors.forename: Eui-Baek
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Byun
authors.forename: Jae-Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong-Il
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Myung-Gon
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Myung-Woo
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Byun
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000633:toxicity*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D047071:beta-Glucans; D000082:Acetaminophen