Anti-hepatotoxic effects of 3,4-methylenedioxyphenol and N-acetylcysteine in acutely acetaminophen-overdosed mice.
3,4-Methylenedioxyphenol (sesamol) is effective against acetaminophen-induced liver injury in rats. Whether sesamol's anti-hepatotoxic effect is comparable to that of N-acetylcysteine has never been studied. We investigated the anti-hepatotoxic effects of sesamol and N-acetylcysteine on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Equimolar doses (1 mmol/kg) of sesamol and N-acetylcysteine significantly inhibited acetaminophen (300 mg/kg)-increased serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels 6 h post-administration. Sesamol and N-acetylcysteine maintained hepatic glutathione levels and inhibited lipid peroxidation. Moreover, the combination of sesamol and N-acetylcysteine antagonistically inhibited sesamol's protection against acetaminophen-induced liver injury. We conclude that the protective effect of sesamol against acetaminophen-induced liver damage is comparable to that of N-acetylcysteine by maintaining glutathione levels and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in mice.
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, Tainan, Taiwan.
Victor Raj Mohan
VR
Chandrasekaran
Se-Ping
SP
Chien
Dur-Zong
DZ
Hsu
Ming-Yie
MY
Liu
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning*; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000506:poisoning*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D052117:Benzodioxoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000975:Antioxidants; D052117:Benzodioxoles; D010636:Phenols; D000082:Acetaminophen; D008315:Malondialdehyde; C025583:sesamol; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D005978:Glutathione; D000111:Acetylcysteine