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Beneficial effects of yam on carbon tetrachloride‐induced hepatic fibrosis in rats
Author(s) -
Chan YinChing,
Chang ShihChieh,
Liu SinYie,
Yang HsinLing,
Hseu YouCheng,
Liao JiunnWang
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.3801
Subject(s) - carbon tetrachloride , ccl4 , antioxidant , hepatic fibrosis , chemistry , medicine , fibrosis , glutathione peroxidase , endocrinology , glutathione , intraperitoneal injection , proliferating cell nuclear antigen , triglyceride , superoxide dismutase , pharmacology , biochemistry , cholesterol , cell growth , enzyme , organic chemistry
BACKGROUND: In a previous study, lyophilised yam reduced brain amyloid β‐protein (Aβ) accumulation and improved the antioxidative defence system in senescence‐accelerated (SAMP8) mice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the hepatic protection of yam in the carbon tetrachloride‐induced hepatic fibrosis of rats. Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats via intraperitoneal injections of CCl 4 at a dose of 1 mL kg −1 body weight (BW) twice weekly for 8 weeks. Three groups of rats were gavaged daily with yams at doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 g kg −1 BW for 8 weeks, respectively. RESULTS: Yam treatments significantly decreased the ratio of liver/body weight, levels of γ‐glutaminotranspeptidase (GGT), low‐density lipoprotein, and triglyceride in serum when compared with those administered CCl 4 alone. Treatment with yams significantly elevated antioxidant activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and superoxidase dismutase (SOD) in livers. Microscopically, yam‐treated groups presented with low histoscores of CCl 4 ‐induced liver injury and fibrosis. Additionally, yam treatment reduced the area of GGT‐positive foci and the index of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in liver. CONCLUSION: Daily administration of yam attenuates CCl 4 ‐induced hepatic fibrosis in rats in a dose‐dependent manner; this attenuation may be related to the antioxidant properties of yams. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry