Basic Research
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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 21, 2006; 12(27): 4345-4351
Published online Jul 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i27.4345
Influence of zinc sulfate intake on acute ethanol-induced liver injury in rats
Sema Bolkent, Pelin Arda-Pirincci, Sehnaz Bolkent, Refiye Yanardag, Sevim Tunali, Sukriye Yildirim
Sema Bolkent, Sukriye Yildirim, Department of Medical Biology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa 34098, Istanbul, Turkey
Pelin Arda-Pirincci, Sehnaz Bolkent, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Vezneciler 34459, Istanbul, Turkey
Refiye Yanardag, Sevim Tunali, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University, Avcilar 34850, Istanbul, Turkey
Supported by the Research Fund of Istanbul University, No. UDP-324/03062004
Correspondence to: Dr. Sema Bolkent, Department of Medical Biology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa 34098, Istanbul, Turkey. bolkent@istanbul.edu.tr
Telephone: +90-212-4143000 Fax: + 90-212-6320050
Received: March 18, 2006
Revised: March 28, 2006
Accepted: April 21, 2006
Published online: July 21, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the role of metallothionein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) on the morphological and biochemical effects of zinc sulfate in ethanol-induced liver injury.

METHODS: Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I; intact rats, group II; control rats given only zinc, group III; animals given absolute ethanol, group IV; rats given zinc and absolute ethanol. Ethanol-induced injury was produced by the 1 mL of absolute ethanol, administrated by gavage technique to each rat. Animals received 100 mg/kg per day zinc sulfate for 3 d 2 h prior to the administration of absolute ethanol.

RESULTS: Increases in metallothionein immunoreactivity in control rats given only zinc and rats given zinc and ethanol were observed. PCNA immunohistochemistry showed that the number of PCNA-positive hepatocytes was increased significantly in the livers of rats administered ethanol + zinc sulfate. Acute ethanol exposure caused degenerative morphological changes in the liver. Blood glutathione levels decreased, serum alkaline phosphatase and aspartate transaminase activities increased in the ethanol group when compared to the control group. Liver glutathione levels were reduced, but lipid peroxidation increased in the livers of the group administered ethanol as compared to the other groups. Administration of zinc sulfate in the ethanol group caused a significant decrease in degenerative changes, lipid peroxidation, and alkaline phosphatase and aspartate transaminase activities, but an increase in liver glutathione.

CONCLUSION: Zinc sulfate has a protective effect on ethanol-induced liver injury. In addition, cell proliferation may be related to the increase in metallothionein immunoreactivity in the livers of rats administered ethanol + zinc sulfate.

Keywords: Liver; Ethanol; Zinc sulfate; Metallothionein; Proliferating cell nuclear antigen; Rat