title: Effects of curcumin on angiotensin-converting enzyme gene expression, oxidative stress and anti-oxidant status in thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of curcumin on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene expression, oxidative stress and anti-oxidant status in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total 32 albino Wistar rats (male, 200-250 g) were divided into six groups (n=8). Group 1: untreated controls; Group 2: received TAA (200 mg/kg body weight (b.w.); i.p.) for 12 weeks; Group 3: received curcumin (75 mg/kg b.w.) for 24 weeks; Group 4: received TAA (200 mg/kg b.w.; i.p.) for 12 weeks+curcumin (75 mg/kg b.w.) for 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significantly higher ACE gene expression was observed in TAA-induced groups as compared with control, indicating more synthesis of ACE proteins. Treatment with curcumin suppressed ACE expression in TAA liver and reversed the toxicity produced. TAA treatment results in higher lipid peroxidation and lower GSH, SOD and CAT than the normal, and this produces oxidative stress in the liver. Cirrhotic conditions were confirmed by serum enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) as well as histopathological observations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Curcumin treatment reduced oxidative stress in animals by scavenging reactive oxygen species, protecting the anti-oxidant enzymes from being denatured and reducing the oxidative stress marker lipid peroxidation. Curcumin treatment restores hepatocytes, damaged by TAA, and protects liver tissue approaching cirrhosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Yumna
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fazal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syeda Nuzhat
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Fatima
authors.affiliation: The Karachi Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan smshahid@uok.edu.pk.
authors.forename: Syed Muhammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shahid
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Tabassum
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mahboob
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013853:Thioacetamide
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D013853:Thioacetamide; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D003474:Curcumin
keywords: ACE gene expression; Curcumin; anti-oxidant; hepatotoxicity; oxidative stress