title: The role of prostaglandin E2 in acute acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in mice.
abstract: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which is synthesized by many cell types, has a cytoprotective effect in the gastrointestinal tract and in several other tissues and cells. On the other hand, overdose or chronic use of a high dose of acetaminophen (Paracetamol, APAP) is a major cause of acute liver failure in the western world. These observations prompted us to investigate whether PGE2 plays a role in host defence to toxic effect of APAP. (CBAT6T6xC57Bl/6)F1 hybrid mice of both sexes were intoxicated with a single lethal or high sublethal dose of APAP, which was administered to animals by oral gavage. Stabile analogue of PGE2, 16,16-dimethyl PGE2 (dmPGE2), or inhibitor of its production, CAY10526, were given intraperitoneally (i.p.) 30 minutes before or 2 hours after APAP administration. The toxicity of APAP was determined by observing the survival of mice during 48 hours, by measuring concentration of alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) in plasma 20-22 hours after APAP administration and by liver histology. The results have shown that PGE2 exhibits a strong hepatoprotective effect when it is given to mice either before or after APAP, while CAY10526 demonstrated mainly the opposite effect. Immunohistochemical or immunofluorescent examinations in the liver tissue generally support these findings, suggesting that PGE2 inhibited APAP-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB). Similarly, PGE2 down regulated the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which was up regulated by APAP. Thus, by these and perhaps by other mechanisms, PGE2 contributes to the defence of the organism to noxious effects of xenobiotics on the liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. ivancavarsb@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cavar
authors.forename: Tomislav
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kelava
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vukojević
authors.forename: Mirna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saraga-Babić
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Culo
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019610:Cytoprotection; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D000082:Acetaminophen; C496319:NOS2 protein, human; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D015232:Dinoprostone