In various experimental models, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) has been shown to reduce liver injury by preventing depletion of glutathione, one of the antioxidant systems that plays a critical role in defence against oxidative stress. On the other hand, α-tocopherol may be decreased in liver diseases, and treatment with this vitamin reduces liver injury in CCl4-treated rats. Since there is a close relationship among the different antioxidant systems (mainly glutathione, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid), we have assessed whether, as well as restoring hepatic glutathione content, SAMe has any effect on liver α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid levels in CCl4-injured rats. Four groups of seven male Wistar rats treated for 9 weeks were studied: rats induced to cirrhosis with CCl4, rats induced to cirrhosis plus SAMe administration (10 mgċkg-1ċday-1) and their respective controls. Liver samples were obtained for measuring levels of glutathione, α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and hydroxyproline concentration as an index of collagen content. The hydroxyproline content was higher in CCl4-injured rats than in the control group (4.4±1.8 and 1.1±0.3 μmol/g respectively; P < 0.05). In CCl4-injured rats, SAMe administration decreased collagen content (2.7±1.0 μmol/g; P < 0.05) and TBARS, and corrected glutathione depletion. α-Tocopherol was significantly lower in CCl4-injured rats than in controls (17.3±4.9 and 23.0±4.0 μmol/g respectively; P < 0.05). By contrast, α-tocopherol levels were similar (23.8±5.1 μmol/g) in CCl4-injured rats receiving SAMe and in controls. In CCl4-injured rats, liver ascorbic acid was decreased in comparison with controls (4.9±1.8 and 8.2±1.0 μmol/g respectively; P < 0.05), levels which were not replenished by SAMe (4.6±0.4 μmol/g). In conclusion, SAMe not only decreases fibrosis and protects against hepatic glutathione depletion, but has a further antioxidant effect of preventing α-tocopherol depletion in CCl4-injured rats.
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Research Article|
September 01 2000
S-Adenosylmethionine prevents hepatic tocopherol depletion in carbon tetrachloride-injured rats
Ramón DEULOFEU;
Ramón DEULOFEU
*Laboratory of Biochemistry, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Albert PARÉS;
†Alcohol and Liver Units, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Correspondence: Dr Albert Parés, Alcohol and Liver Units, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, C/. Villarroel 170, 08036-Barcelona, Spain (e-mail [email protected]).
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Mireia RUBIO;
Mireia RUBIO
†Alcohol and Liver Units, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Marta GASSÓ;
Marta GASSÓ
†Alcohol and Liver Units, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Juan ROMÁN;
Juan ROMÁN
†Alcohol and Liver Units, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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América GIMÉNEZ;
América GIMÉNEZ
†Alcohol and Liver Units, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Gregorio VARELA-MOREIRAS;
Gregorio VARELA-MOREIRAS
‡Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology and Gene Therapy, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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Joan CABALLERIA;
Joan CABALLERIA
†Alcohol and Liver Units, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Antonio M. BALLESTA;
Antonio M. BALLESTA
*Laboratory of Biochemistry, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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José M. MATO;
José M. MATO
‡Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology and Gene Therapy, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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Joan RODÉS
Joan RODÉS
†Alcohol and Liver Units, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
May 11 2000
Accepted:
June 22 2000
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
The Biochemical Society and the Medical Research Society © 2000
2000
Clin Sci (Lond) (2000) 99 (4): 315–320.
Article history
Received:
May 11 2000
Accepted:
June 22 2000
Citation
Ramón DEULOFEU, Albert PARÉS, Mireia RUBIO, Marta GASSÓ, Juan ROMÁN, América GIMÉNEZ, Gregorio VARELA-MOREIRAS, Joan CABALLERIA, Antonio M. BALLESTA, José M. MATO, Joan RODÉS; S-Adenosylmethionine prevents hepatic tocopherol depletion in carbon tetrachloride-injured rats. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 October 2000; 99 (4): 315–320. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/cs0990315
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