title: Chitosan and blueberry treatment induces arginase activity and inhibits nitric oxide production during acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Liver diseases have become a major problem of the worldwide. More than 50% of all cases of liver failure can be attributed to drugs. Among these, acetaminophen is the most common cause.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the the hepatoprotective effects of blueberry and chitosan on tissue arginase activity, ornithine and nitric oxide levels during the acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acetaminophen (250 mg/kg body weight per day), blueberry (60 mg/kg body weight per day) and, chitosan (200 mg/kg body weight per day) were administered to the rats by oral gavage during the experimental period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blueberry and chitosan significantly decreased liver arginase activity and ornithine levelsand and increased nitric oxide levels. Glutathione levels were remarkably increased by chitosan and blueberry treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study indicate that blueberry and chitosan effectively protected against the acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. The hepatoprotective effect afforded by blueberry and chitosan can be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Healthy Sciences, Artvin Coruh University, Artvin, Turkey.
authors.forename: Eda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozcelik
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, School of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uslu
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, School of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Dilek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burukoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, School of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Musmul
keywords: Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity; arginase; blueberry; chitosan; ornithine