title: The protective effects of Masson pine pollen aqueous extract on CCl4-induced oxidative damage of human hepatic cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We observed the effects of Masson pine pollen aqueous extracts (MPPAE) on CCl4-induced oxidative damage of the human hepatic cell line L-02.
  
  
  METHODS
  We created an in vitro model of oxidative liver damage by treating L-02 human hepatic cells with 40 mmol/L CCl4. Effects of different concentrations of MPPAE on cell proliferation, morphology, and change of functional indexes were observed after addition of CCl4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CCl4 was toxic to proliferation, cell morphology, and functionality of hepatic cells. It decreased proliferation by 29.3-38.4% and increased AST and ALT activities by 22.3% and 99.2%, respectively. The oxidative stress also disrupted hepatic cell growth and induced pyknosis. Although MPPAE did not prevent decreased proliferation of L-02 cells, the treatment alleviated some CCl4-induced cell morphology changes and inhibited the abnormal rise of ALT (39.8%-70.1%) and AST (14.75-27.25%) activities in a dose dependent manner. A high dose of MPPAE (400 mg/L) ameliorated nucleus deformation to an almost normal appearance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our in vitro model, MPPAE specifically prevented the changes in cell morphology and functional injury caused by CCL4 treatment; however, it offered limited protection against damage-induced reduction of proliferation.
authors.affiliation: International Center for Liver Disease Treatment, 302 Hospital Beijing 10039, China.
authors.forename: Xueyuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine Tianjin 30050, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cong
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, General Hospital of P.L.A Beijing 100853, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: The Second Artillery General Hospital of P.L.A Beijing 100082, China.
authors.forename: Long
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Animal Center, Beijing 302 Hospital Beijing 100039, China.
authors.forename: Reisheng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: International Center for Liver Disease Treatment, 302 Hospital Beijing 10039, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine Tianjin 30050, China.
authors.forename: Changjiang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guo
keywords: Aqueous extract; CCl4; hepatic cells; masson pine pollen; oxidative damage