1. S-allylcysteine is Effective as a Chemopreventive Agent against Porcine Serum-induced Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats
- Author
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Shinkawa, Hiroji, Takemura, Shigekazu, Minamiyama, Yukiko, Kodai, Shintaro, Tsukioka, Takuma, Osada-Oka, Mayuko, Kubo, Shoji, Okada, Shigeru, Suehiro, Shigefumi, Shinkawa, Hiroji, Takemura, Shigekazu, Minamiyama, Yukiko, Kodai, Shintaro, Tsukioka, Takuma, Osada-Oka, Mayuko, Kubo, Shoji, Okada, Shigeru, and Suehiro, Shigefumi
- Abstract
Background : Hepatic fibrosis is a chronic progressive disorder with a poor prognosis for which no definitive treatment exists. S-allylcysteine (SAC), an ingredient of aged garlic extract, is known to have antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifibrotic effects of SAC in the liver. / Methods : Hepatic fibrosis was induced in male Wistar rats by porcine serum (PS) intraperitoneal injection. SAC (0.15% of basal diet) or N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 0.45% of basal diet) was orally administered for 12 weeks. Liver damage was assessed by the levels of plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hepatic lipid peroxides (LPO), and hepatic total thiols 12 weeks after first PS injection. Area of fibrosis was examined by Azan-Mallory staining. Hydroxyproline content of liver were assessed as an index of collagen content. Liver was examined for expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) as a marker of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation....
- Published
- 2009