Effect of (−)-Epicatechinin in D-galactosamine induced Hepatitis in old age rats: A study with reference to antioxidant enzymes and gene markers

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of the current investigation was to determine hepatoprotective effect of bioactive compound (-)-epicatechin in hepatitis old age rats. Animals are pre-treated with (-)-epicatechin at a dose of 50 mg/kg/bw for 21 days, and D-galactosamine was used to induce hepatitis on the last two days of the treatment period. For assessment of (-)-epicatechin impact on hepatitis, we analyzed hepatic damage markers AST, ALT, AKP, and γGGT in blood plasma, as well as antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, GPx, GR, GSH, CAT, GST, and MDA in the liver tissue. Further, to strengthen (-)-epicatechin effect, we also done molecular expression studies of TNF-α, IL-6 and TGF-βwith RT-PCR and also examined histological alterations in liver tissues. Our results revealed that SOD, GPx, GR, CAT, activities and GSH content are decrement in hepatitis animals. Besides, GST, ALT, AST, AKP, γGGT activities and MDA are increment in hepatitis subjects. However with (-)-epicatechin treatment all these antioxidant enzymes and liver enzymes are normalized. Interestingly, gene expression markers are downregulated with bioactive compound treated hepatic rats whereas upregulation of them have been observed in the diseased rats. Deterioration of sinusoids, central vein, and hepatocytes are observed in hepatitis ratsx. But with (-)-epicatechin supplementation in hepatitis rats. we examined the regeneration of central vein, sinusoids and hepatocytes in liver tissue of hepatitis animals. From our study,we conclude that (−)-epicatechin supplementation in old hepatitis rats, all the antioxidant enzymes, liver markers, gene expression markers and histopathologcial studies proved that has beneficial effects in hepatitis subjects.