Anti-apoptotic and Hepatoprotective Effects of Gomisin A on Fulminant Hepatic Failure Induced by D-Galactosamine and Lipopolysaccharide in Mice

Abstract

This study examined the effects of gomisin A, a lignan compound from Schisandra fructus, on D-galactosamine (GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatic apoptosis and liver failure. Mice were given an intraperitoneal injection of GalN (700 mg/kg) / LPS (10 μ g/kg). Gomisin A (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 1 h before the GalN/LPS injection. The liver injury was assessed biochemically and histologically. GalN/LPS increased the serum aminotransferase levels and lipid peroxidation but decreased the reduced glutathione level. The pretreatment with gomisin A attenuated these changes in a dose-dependent manner. The survival rate of the gomisin A group was significantly higher than that of the control. The mitochondria isolated after the mice had been injected with GalN/LPS were swollen, which was attenuated by the gomisin A pretreatment. The elevation of serum tumor necrosis factor-α and activation of caspase-3 were observed in the GalN/LPS group, which was attenuated by gomisin A. The gomisin A–pretreated groups showed significantly fewer apoptotic (TUNEL-positive) cells and DNA fragmentation as compared with the GalN/LPS mice. The liver protection afforded by gomisin A is the result of the reduced oxidative stress and its antiapoptotic activity. Keywords:: apoptosis, D-galactosamine (GalN), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), gomisin A, oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α