Effect of Silk Fibroin on the Protection of Alcoholic Hepatotoxicity in the Liver of Alcohol Preference Mouse

  • Kang, Gyung-Don (School of Biological Resources and Materials Engineering, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Ki-Hoon (School of Biological Resources and Materials Engineering, Seoul National University) ;
  • Do, Sun-Gil (Experimental Animal Center, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Kim, Chung-Sub (Experimental Animal Center, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Suh, Jun-Gyo (Experimental Animal Center, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Oh, Yang-Seok (Experimental Animal Center, College of Medicine, Hallym University) ;
  • Nahm, Joong-Hee (School of Biological Resources and Materials Engineering, Seoul National University)
  • Published : 2001.03.01

Abstract

Silk fibroin (SF) derided from the domestic silk worm, bombyx mori, is the natural protein and widely used as bio-functional materials as well as apparels. We studied the livers protective effect of SF from alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity in the alcohol preference mouse. To increase more absorption of SF in experimental animals, molecular weight of SF was lowered by 2N of HCI aqueous solution at 10$0^{\circ}C$ for 48 hrs. SF was added to liquid diet with alcohol and fed to the alcohol preference mice for 4 weeks. To assess the liver function, the concentration of alanine aminotransferase (AlT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and cholesterol present in either blood or liver tissue were measured. As compared with non-SF treated groups the SF-treated showed significantly low concentrations of ALT, AST, cholesterol and triacylglycerol values, respectively. Histopathological examination revealed that the extent of hepatocyte injury in the SF-treated group was reduced when it was compared with non SF-treated group. These results suggest that SF may have liver protective effects against alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity.

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