Zinc-glutathione in Chinese Baijiu prevents alcohol-associated liver injury
Yinrui Feng,
Wenrui Liu,
Te Ba,
Zhenghui Luo,
Yuan Ma,
Guotao Tang,
Y. James Kang
Affiliations
Yinrui Feng
Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
Wenrui Liu
Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
Te Ba
Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
Zhenghui Luo
Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
Yuan Ma
Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
Guotao Tang
Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
Y. James Kang
Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; Tennessee Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA; Corresponding author. Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
Zinc depletion is associated with alcohol-associated liver injury. We tested the hypothesis that increasing zinc availability along with alcohol consumption prevents alcohol-associated liver injury. Zinc-glutathione (ZnGSH) was synthesized and directly added to Chinese Baijiu. Mice were administered a single gastric dose of 6 g/kg ethanol in Chinese Baijiu with or without ZnGSH. ZnGSH in Chinese Baijiu did not change the likeness of the drinkers but significantly reduced the recovery time from drunkenness along with elimination of high-dose mortality. ZnGSH in Chinese Baijiu decreased serum AST and ALT, suppressed steatosis and necrosis, and increased zinc and GSH concentrations in the liver. It also increased alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase in the liver, stomach, and intestine and reduced acetaldehyde in the liver. Thus, ZnGSH in Chinese Baijiu prevents alcohol-associated liver injury by increasing alcohol metabolism timely with alcohol consumption, providing an alternative approach to the management of alcohol-associated drinking.
