Hepatoprotective effects of met-enkephalin on acetaminophen-induced liver lesions in male CBA mice

Martinić, Roko; Šošić, Hrvoje; Turčić, Petra; Konjevoda, Paško; Fučić, Aleksandra; Stojković, Ranko; Aralica, Gorana; Gabričević, Mario; Weitner, Tin; Štambuk, Nikola (2014) Hepatoprotective effects of met-enkephalin on acetaminophen-induced liver lesions in male CBA mice. Molecules, 19 (8). pp. 11833-11845. ISSN 1420-3049

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Official URL: http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/19/8/11833

Abstract

Recent histopathological investigations in patients with hepatitis suggested possible involvement of Met-enkephalin and its receptors in the pathophysiology of hepatitis. Consequently, we evaluated the potential hepatoprotective effects of this endogenous opioid pentapeptide in the experimental model of acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity in male CBA mice. Met-enkephalin exhibited strong hepatoprotective effects in a dose of 7.5 mg/kg, which corresponds to the protective dose reported for several different animal disease models. In this group plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase enzyme activities, as well as liver necrosis score were significantly reduced in comparison to control animals treated with physiological saline (p > 0.01). The specificity of the peptide hepatoprotection was investigated from the standpoint of the receptor and peptide blockade. It was concluded that Met-enkephalin effects on the liver were mediated via δ and ζ opioid receptors. Genotoxic testing of Met- enkephalin confirmed the safety of the peptide.

Item Type:

Article

Uncontrolled Keywords:

met-enkephalin; hepatoprotection; genotoxicity; antisense peptide; binding; spectroscopy

Subjects:

NATURAL SCIENCES > Chemistry
BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE > Basic Medical Sciences
BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE > Pharmacy

Divisions:

Division of Molecular Medicine
NMR Center

Projects: