Experimental Study
Effect of baicalin against acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in mice and its possible mechanism
Chang Hulin, Liu Sinan, Miao Runchen, Wan Yong, Zhang Jingyao, Geng Xilin
Published 2021-07-08
Cite as Chin J Exp Surg, 2021, 38(7): 1280-1282. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn421213-20200729-00555
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of baicalin on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury in mice and the possible mechanisms.
MethodsFrom June 2019 to December 2019, 15 male C57BL/6 mice were supplied by Animal Feeding Center of Shaanxi Provincial People′s Hospital. Mouse models of liver injury were established by intraperitoneal injection of APAP. Mice were randomly divided into three groups: blank control group, liver injury model group (APAP group), and baicalin+ APAP group (BA+ APAP group). Blood samples and liver tissues were collected at 16 h after APAP modeling to determine the serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT); malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD); tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. The pathological changes were observed. The expression of extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases (ERK) and phosphorylation of ERK (p-ERK) in liver tissues was detected by Western blotting. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis.
ResultsThe histopathological abnormalities were attenuated in BA+ APAP group. The levels of ALT and AST in BA+ APAP group were significantly lower than those in APAP group [(614.2±132.9), (498.7±52.8) U/L vs. (6 826.4±684.2), (5 860.7±464.8) U/L, t=44.862, 67.850, both P<0.05]. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in BA+ APAP group were significantly lower than in APAP group [(156.8±44.3), (673.1±43.7) pg/ml vs. (334.3±36.8), (899.8±98.9) pg/ml,t=18.702, 3.644, both P<0.05]. The MDA level in BA+ APAP group was significantly lower than that in APAP group [(6.3±1.6) nmol/mg·prot vs. (9.7±1.6) nmol/mg·prot,t=38.524, P<0.05]. The SOD level in BA+ APAP group was significantly lower than that in APAP group [(12.7±1.7) U/mg·prot vs. (8.0±0.6) U/mg·prot,t=4.854, P<0.05]. The p-ERK/ERK level in BA+ APAP group was significantly lower than that in APAP group (0.4±0.2 vs. 1.0±0.1,t=18.974, P<0.05).
ConclusionThis study suggests that baicalin can protect APAP-induced acute liver injury, which may be related to down-regulation of expression of p-ERK.
Key words:
Baicalin; Acetaminophen; Extracellular regulated protein kinases; Liver injury
Contributor Information
Chang Hulin
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwestern Polytechnical University (Shaanxi Provincial People′s Hospital), Xi′an 710068, China
Liu Sinan
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710061, China
Miao Runchen
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710061, China
Wan Yong
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710061, China
Zhang Jingyao
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University, Xi′an 710061, China
Geng Xilin
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Northwestern Polytechnical University (Shaanxi Provincial People′s Hospital), Xi′an 710068, China
