[Effect of PEGylation of alpha-Momorcharin against its hepatotoxicity in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of PEGylation of alpha-Momorcharin (alpha-MMC), one of ribosome-inactivating proteins from bitter melon seed, against its hepatotoxicity in rats.


METHODS
SD rats were randomized into NS group, alpha-MMC treated groups, and alpha-MMC-PEG treated groups. The doses of alpha-MMC and alpha-MMC-PEG were high, middle, and low dose (6.25, 2.08, 0.70 mg/kg). The rats were given different dose of alpha-MMC, or alpha-MMC-PEG via caudal vein every other day for consecutive 28 days and then left for 14 days recovery. The general condition of animals was observed, blood and liver samples were collected for liver function study and pathological examination on day 28 after initiation of administration and on day 14 after withdrawal.


RESULTS
On day 28 after initiation of administration, the liver function damages were found in high-dose and middle-dose of alpha-MMC treated groups, such as the decreasing of ALB, increasing of GLB, A/G ratio decreasing and the dose-dependant increasing of AST, BIL and CHO. The pathological changes of hepatotoxicity were also observed in these two groups, including the massive hepatocyte, swelling degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, congestion and diffusive necrosis. However, the liver function and pathological changes in alpha-MMC-PEG treated groups were better than those in alpha-MMC treated groups.


CONCLUSIONS
PEGylation could reduce the hepatotoxicity of alpha-MMC to rats.
School of Medical Laboratory Science, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610083, China.
Jia-Gui
JG
Jin
Yan-Fa
YF
Meng
Wei
W
Guo
Jue-Cun
JC
Zheng
Fu-Bing
FB
Shen
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D054788:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D018675:Toxicity Tests
D010940:Plant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C039582:MMC protein, Momordica charantia; D054788:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins