Protective effect of ghrelin on acetaminophen-induced liver injury in rat.
Ghrelin is a peptide that has protective effects on many tissues of the body. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Acetaminophen, a commonly used analgesic-antipyretic drug, has hepatotoxic side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective role of ghrelin in liver toxicity due to acetaminophen overdose. Thirty male rats were used in this study and divided into five groups. They were control, propylene-glycol (as a solvent of acetaminophen), acetaminophen, acetaminophen and NAC, acetaminophen and ghrelin groups. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and hepatic enzymes, AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase), were assessed and histologic study of liver were performed as indicators of liver damage following acetaminophen toxicity. Results showed that Ghrelin decreased ALT and AST to the normal level, and also reduced TNF-α. Although NAC (the standard antidote of acetaminophen toxicity) also reduced ALT, AST and TNF-α levels, our results show that ghrelin is more potent than NAC in protecting the liver from acetaminophen-induced liver injury.
Golestan Jahromi
Masoumeh
M
Department of Physiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran.
Nabavizadeh
Fatemeh
F
Vahedian
Jalal
J
Nahrevanian
Hossein
H
Dehpour
Ahmad-Reza
AR
Zare-Mehrjardi
Ali
A
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000633:toxicity*; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D054439:Ghrelin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000082:Acetaminophen; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000111:Acetylcysteine