Protection Against Microcystin-LR-Induced Hepatoxicity by Silymarin: Biochemistry, Histopathology and Lethality

Abstract

Microcystin-LR, a cyclic heptapeptide synthesized by the blue-green algae, Microcystis aeruginosa, is a potent hepatotoxin. Pathological examination of livers from mice and rats that received microcystin-LR revealed severe, peracute, diffuse, centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis, and hemorrhage. These changes were correlated with increased serum activities of sorbitol dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase. Pretreatment of either rats or mice with a single dose of silymarin, a flavonolignane isolated from the wild artichoke (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn), completely abolished the lethal effects, pathological changes, and significantly decreased the levels of serum enzymes induced by microcystin-LR intoxication. Subject Terms: Alanine aminotransferase, Flavonoid, Hepatic necrosis, Hepatotoxin, Lactate dehydrogenase, Microcystin-LR, Silymarin, Sorbitol dehydrogenase.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 04, 1990
Accession Number
ADA221205

Entities

People

  • D. A. Creasia
  • D. R. Ragland
  • K. A. Mereish

Organizations

  • United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alcohols
  • Arteries
  • Biomedical Research
  • Blood
  • Body Weight
  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Chemistry
  • Cyanobacteria
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Lethal Dosage
  • Lethality
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Propylene Glycol
  • Sugar Alcohols
  • Surgery
  • Toxicity

Readers

  • Microbial Pathology
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology