Inhibition property of green tea extract in relation to reserpine-induced ribosomal strips of rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) of the rat kidney proximal tubule cells

Attenuation of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Toxicity by a Dietary Supplement

Advanced liver disease (ALD) is often characterized with overt malnutrition and liver fibrosis. In this study, a dietary supplement (DS) was first developed, including branch chain amino acids, fat soluble vitamins, zinc, medium chain triglycerides, soy lecithin, L-carnitine, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Benefits of DS were then tested using an ALD rat model treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 6, 8, and 10 weeks, respectively. Our study showed that CCl4-induced drop of serum albumin and ratio of branch chain to aromatic amino acids were significantly prevented at all three time points. DS also mitigated CCl4-induced elevation of classical liver function markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and bilirubin) at certain time points, depending on specific liver function markers. Moreover, CCl4-induced liver fibrosis was strongly inhibited at all three time points in a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) independent manner. These findings indicated multi-faceted benefits of DS in this animal model, suggesting that it could be a useful adjunctive treatment of ALD in clinic.

Green tea extract therapy diminishes hepatic fibrosis mediated by dual exposure to carbon tetrachloride and ethanol: A histopathological study

The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of green tea extract (GTE) against the hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), ethanol, and dual exposure to CCl₄ plus ethanol in rats. In particular, an investigation of the three-dimensional architecture was conducted using scanning electron microscopy. Various techniques revealed that hepatic fibrosis with intermingled fibers was located between cells in the CCl₄, ethanol and combined CCl₄ plus ethanol groups. The hepatic fibrosis differed among the ethanol, CCl₄ and CCl₄ plus ethanol groups in terms of the type, thickness and distribution of fibers. The fibrotic lesions virtually disappeared in all the groups after 25 days of treatment with GTE, returning the architecture of the liver tissue to its normal status. The rats were also found to regain normal body weight and fur color, which had earlier been discolored due to weight loss. The autopsy results also showed that the animal livers returned to the normal shape and color. GTE demonstrated the same clear action in attenuating the hepatofibrosis for all three inducing treatments, by impairing collagen fibers, eliminating lipid peroxidation and returning the liver architecture to normal. GTE presents a safe therapeutic strategy for hepatic fibrosis.

Curative propensity of green tea extract towards hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl(4): A histopathological study

Hepatic fibrosis constitutes a serious insult to the liver, with a substantial negative impact on the quality of life of such patients worldwide. It is a consequence of severe liver damage and occurs as the result of several factors. Chronic alcoholism is the most common cause. Fibrosis also results from chronic viral hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis. Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) can also lead to fibrosis. In the present study, the hepato-protective effects of green tea extract (GTE) on hepatic fibrosis in a rat liver CCl(4)-induced fibrosis model were examined histologically, 3-dimensionally and biochemically. GTE was prepared from dried green tea leaves and lyophilized. Male albino rats (n=20) weighing 200-250 g were divided into four groups: GI, control; GII, administered 50 mg/kg GTE dissolved in physiological saline daily for four weeks; GIII, administered 40% CCl(4) (1 ml/kg body weight) by subcutaneous injection daily for four weeks; and GIV, treated as GIII, followed by 50 mg/kg GTE dissolved in physiological saline daily for 4 weeks. Histology and 3-dimensional scanning electron microscopy showed hepatic fibrosis with intermingled fibers located between cells in the liver tissues of the CCl(4)-treated rats. Fibrotic lesions virtually disappeared after four weeks of treatment with GTE, returning the architecture of liver tissue back to its normal state. Also, the levels of the hepatic enzymes alanine aminotranferase and aspartate aminotransferase returned to their normal levels after treatment with GTE. The rats were found to regain their normal body weight and their fur color, which had faded due to weight loss. The autopsy results showed the animal liver returning to normal shape and color. Thus, green tea extract is a potent treatment for hepatic fibrosis caused by CCl(4) in this animal model.