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Han YM, Lee DY, Song MY, Kim EH. Toxicological Evaluation Verifies the Safety of Oral Administration of Steamed Mature Silkworm Powder in Rats. Foods 2024; 13:2209. [PMID: 39063293 PMCID: PMC11276103 DOI: 10.3390/foods13142209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Globally, the edible insect industry is emerging due to its potential contributions to food security and environmental sustainability. Edible insects are rapidly being integrated into the development of alternative foods and new pharmaceuticals. Silkworms, known for their high protein content, are not only a potential new source of human food and animal feed but have also been traditionally used for medicinal purposes. However, conventional silkworms are difficult to ingest. To address this, we have developed a steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworm larva powder (SMSP), and it is essential to investigate its potential toxicity and food safety for further studies and applications. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of SMSP. A toxicity assessment of SMSP was conducted according to OECD guidelines. An oral repeat-administration study was performed on male and female SD rats at doses of 625, 1250, and 2500 mg/kg/day for 4 and 13 weeks. No toxicological changes were observed in clinical signs, body weight, water and food intake, urine tests, hematology, clinical biochemistry, gross findings, or histopathological examination. In conclusion, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of SMSP was 2500 mg/kg/day, with no target organs identified in either sex of the rats. These results suggest that SMSP is safe, is without side effects and has potential for use as an edible ingredient and in health functional food applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eun-Hee Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea; (Y.-M.H.); (D.-Y.L.); (M.-Y.S.)
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Kim MW, Ham YJ, Kim HB, Lee JY, Lim JD, Lee HT. Anti-Obesity Effects of the Larval Powder of Steamed and Lyophilized Mature Silkworms in a Newly Designed Adult Mouse Model. Foods 2023; 12:3613. [PMID: 37835266 PMCID: PMC10572763 DOI: 10.3390/foods12193613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, "mature" silkworms (MS) of Bombix mori have been considered a potential nutraceutical, with a number of health benefits reported for steamed and lyophilized MS powder (SMSP). However, no obesity-related effects have been reported for SMSP. In the present study, anti-obesity effects of SMSP were investigated in adult mice in vivo, aged 12 weeks at the onset of SMSP treatment, fed a normal diet (ND) and a high-fat diet (HFD), respectively, for 12 weeks. SMSP significantly suppressed body weight gain, intra-abdominal adipose tissue, and food efficiency in both ND-fed and HFD-fed adult mice. In addition, SMSP significantly decreased food intake and liver weight in HFD-fed mice, indicating that SMSP suppressed appetite and simultaneously reduced the conversion of feed into body weight in HFD-fed mice. SMSP also significantly lowered the serum levels of glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, asparagine transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase. However, SMSP had no significant effect on the weights of the kidney, spleen, or thymus or the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Taken together, the above results suggest that SMSP has potent anti-obesity effects and is safe for long-term use as a potential therapeutic and/or nutraceutical in both obese patients and non-obese individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Woo Kim
- Biopharmaceutical Engineering Major, Division of Applied Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea; (M.W.K.); (Y.-J.H.)
| | - Yu-Jin Ham
- Biopharmaceutical Engineering Major, Division of Applied Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea; (M.W.K.); (Y.-J.H.)
| | - Hyun-Bok Kim
- National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea;
| | - Ji young Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jung-Dae Lim
- Department of Herbal Medicine Resource, Kangwon National University, Samcheok 25949, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyun-Tai Lee
- Biopharmaceutical Engineering Major, Division of Applied Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Dong-eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea; (M.W.K.); (Y.-J.H.)
- Core-Facility Center for Tissue Regeneration, Dong-Eui University, Busan 47340, Republic of Korea
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Fan M, Choi YJ, Wedamulla NE, Zhang Q, Kim SW, Bae SM, Seok YS, Kim EK. Use of a Silkworm (Bombyx mori) Larvae By-Product for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis: Inhibition of NF-κB Nuclear Translocation and MAPK Signaling. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15071775. [PMID: 37049614 PMCID: PMC10097122 DOI: 10.3390/nu15071775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a long-lasting inflammatory skin disease that contributes to the global health burden and impacts 10–20% of the world’s population. In this study, we determined the anti-AD effect of a by-product of silkworm (Bombyx mori) larval powder, strain Yeonnokjam (SLPY), as a sustainable, natural source for the development of therapeutic agents for AD. HaCaT cells were used to assess the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of SLPY, and a 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced mouse model was used to study the in vivo anti-AD effects. SLPY treatment downregulated the expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL1β, IL-8, and Cox-2 in stimulated HaCaT cells. Similarly, the topical application of SLPY in DNCB-treated mice downregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and proteins while ameliorating the clinical features of AD. Further, SLPY treatment inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κb p65, thereby supporting the efficacy of SLPY in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiqi Fan
- Division of Food Bioscience, College of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jin Choi
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Health Science, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
- Center for Silver-targeted Biomaterials, Brain Busan 21 Plus Program, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
- Department of Health Sciences, The Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Nishala Erandi Wedamulla
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Health Science, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
- Center for Silver-targeted Biomaterials, Brain Busan 21 Plus Program, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
- Department of Health Sciences, The Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla 90000, Sri Lanka
| | - Qun Zhang
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Health Science, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
- Department of Health Sciences, The Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Wan Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju Gun 24226, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Moon Bae
- Gyeongnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services, Jinju 52733, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Seek Seok
- The Province of Gangwon Agricultural Product Registered Seed Station, Chuncheon 24226, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Kyung Kim
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Health Science, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
- Center for Silver-targeted Biomaterials, Brain Busan 21 Plus Program, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
- Department of Health Sciences, The Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
- Center for Food & Bio Innovation, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
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Saber S, El-Fattah EEA, Abdelhamid AM, Mourad AAE, Hamouda MAM, Elrabat A, Zakaria S, Haleem AA, Mohamed SZ, Elgharabawy RM, Morsy NE, El Adle Khalaf N, Mohammed OA, El-Bahouty WB, Mostafa SA, Abdelhady R, Galal O, ElSaid ZH, Yahya G, Shata A, Youssef ME. Innovative challenge for the inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma progression by combined targeting of HSP90 and STAT3/HIF-1α signaling. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114196. [PMID: 36916405 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third foremost cause of cancer-related deaths. HCC has a very bad prognosis because it is asymptomatic in the early stages, resulting in a late diagnosis, and it is highly resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Such chemotherapies have been proven disappointing because they provide extremely low survival benefits. This study discloses that the STAT3/HIF-1α is an auspicious therapeutic attack site for conceivable repression of HCC development. A site that can be targeted by simultaneous administration of a STAT3 inhibitor in the context of HSP90 inhibition. 17-DMAG binds to HSP90 and constrains its function, resulting in the degradation of HSP90 client proteins HIF-1α and STAT3. Hypoxia recruits STAT3/HIF-1α complex within the VEGF promoter. Additionally, it was acknowledged that STAT3 is an essential mediator of VEGF transcription by direct binding to its promoter. Furthermore, it induces HIF-1α stability and enhances its transcriptional activity. Herein, we revealed that the combination therapy using 17-DMAG and nifuroxazide, a STAT3 inhibitor, repressed the diethylnitrosamine-induced alterations in the structure of the liver. This effect was mediated via decreasing the levels of the HSP90 client proteins HIF-1α and pSTAT3 resulting in the suppression of the STAT3/HIF-1α complex transcriptional activity. To conclude, 17-DMAG/NFXZD combination therapy-induced disruption in the STAT3/HIF-1α loop led to a potential antiangiogenic activity and showed apoptotic potential by inhibiting autophagy and inducing ROS/apoptosis signaling. Additionally, this combination therapy exhibited promising survival prolongation in mice with HCC. Consequently, the use of 17-DMAG/NFXZD renders an inspirational perspective in managing HCC. However, further investigations are compulsory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameh Saber
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 11152, Egypt.
| | - Eslam E Abd El-Fattah
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 11152, Egypt.
| | - Amir Mohamed Abdelhamid
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 11152, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed A E Mourad
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Port-Said University, Port-Said 42511, Egypt.
| | | | - Amr Elrabat
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Sahar Zakaria
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Amira A Haleem
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Sherin Z Mohamed
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Horus University, New Damietta 34518, Egypt.
| | | | - Nesreen Elsayed Morsy
- Pulmonary Medicine Department, Mansoura University Sleep Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Noura El Adle Khalaf
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Osama A Mohammed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt.
| | | | - Sally Abdallah Mostafa
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Rasha Abdelhady
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt.
| | - Omneya Galal
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, Giza 12451, Egypt.
| | - Zeinab H ElSaid
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
| | - Galal Yahya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Al Sharqia 44519, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed Shata
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 11152, Egypt.
| | - Mahmoud E Youssef
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa 11152, Egypt.
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Calotropis gigantea stem bark extracts inhibit liver cancer induced by diethylnitrosamine. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12151. [PMID: 35840761 PMCID: PMC9287404 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16321-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Several fractions of Calotropis gigantea extracts have been proposed to have potential anticancer activity in many cancer models. The present study evaluated the anticancer activity of C. gigantea stem bark extracts in liver cancer HepG2 cells and diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced primary liver cancer in rats. The carcinogenesis model induced by DEN administration has been widely used to study pathophysiological features and responses in rats that are comparable to those seen in cancer patients. The dichloromethane (CGDCM), ethyl acetate, and water fractions obtained from partitioning crude ethanolic extract were quantitatively analyzed for several groups of secondary metabolites and calactin contents. A combination of C. gigantea stem bark extracts with doxorubicin (DOX) was assessed in this study to demonstrate the enhanced cytotoxic effect to cancer compared to the single administration. The combination of DOX and CGDCM, which had the most potential cytotoxic effect in HepG2 cells when compared to the other three fractions, significantly increased cytotoxicity through the apoptotic effect with increased caspase-3 expression. This combination treatment also reduced ATP levels, implying a correlation between ATP and apoptosis induction. In a rat model of DEN-induced liver cancer, treatment with DOX, C. gigantea at low (CGDCM-L) and high (CGDCM-H) doses, and DOX + CGDCM-H for 4 weeks decreased the progression of liver cancer by lowering the liver weight/body weight ratio and the occurrence of liver hyperplastic nodules, fibrosis, and proliferative cells. The therapeutic applications lowered TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β, and α-SMA inflammatory cytokines in a similar way, implying that CGDCM had a curative effect against the inflammation-induced liver carcinogenesis produced by DEN exposure. Furthermore, CGDCM and DOX therapy decreased ATP and fatty acid synthesis in rat liver cancer, which was correlated with apoptosis inhibition. CGDCM reduced cleaved caspase-3 expression in liver cancer rats when used alone or in combination with DOX, implying that apoptosis-inducing hepatic carcinogenesis was suppressed. Our results also verified the low toxicity of CGDCM injection on the internal organs of rats. Thus, this research clearly demonstrated a promising, novel anticancer approach that could be applied in future clinical studies of CGDCM and combination therapy.
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Li T, Yang G, Hao Q, Zhang X, Zhang X. Daphnetin Ameliorates the Expansion of Chemically Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Reduction of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress. J Oleo Sci 2022; 71:575-585. [DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess21415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Li
- The Second Ward of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Yulin City
| | - Gang Yang
- The Second Ward of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Yulin City
| | | | - Xin Zhang
- The Second Ward of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Yulin City
| | - Xiong Zhang
- The Second Ward of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Yulin City
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Yang X, Cheng QN, Wu JF, Ai WB, Ma L. Analysis of key genes and related transcription factors in liver fibrosis based on bioinformatic technology. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2021; 14:444-454. [PMID: 33936366 PMCID: PMC8085816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to liver fibrosis, and clarify the key genes and the possible targets in the progression of liver fibrosis. METHODS Using microarray datasets, GSE38199 was extracted from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and a bioinformatics method was performed to find DEGs and transcription factors related to liver fibrosis. RESULTS A total of 58 DEGs were screened out according to GEO2R online analysis tool, which included 49 up-regulated and 9 down-regulated genes. These DEGs were mainly involved in formation with the extracellular region and extracellular exosome through gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs mainly participated in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, and metabolic pathways. Based on the results of the Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network and Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) analysis, 9 key genes (COL1A1, FBN1, BGN, COL6A3, MMP2, FBLN5, LUM, PDGFRB, LOXL1) were screened out. A total of 30 transcription factors were found according to these 9 key genes, of which 4 transcription factors (Stat3, Trp53, NF-κB1, Sp1) were enriched. CONCLUSION Stat3, Trp53, NF-κB1, and Sp1 were all related to the development of liver fibrosis, and FBLN5 might be a target for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yang
- Medical College, China Three Gorges UniversityYichang, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges UniversityYichang, China
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges UniversityYichang, China
| | - Qi-Ni Cheng
- Medical College, China Three Gorges UniversityYichang, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges UniversityYichang, China
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges UniversityYichang, China
| | - Jiang-Feng Wu
- Medical College, China Three Gorges UniversityYichang, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges UniversityYichang, China
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges UniversityYichang, China
- Department of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, The First People’s Hospital of YichangYichang, Hubei, China
| | - Wen-Bing Ai
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges UniversityYichang, China
- The Yiling Hospital of YichangYichang, China
| | - Lan Ma
- Medical College, China Three Gorges UniversityYichang, China
- Institute of Organ Fibrosis and Targeted Drug Delivery, China Three Gorges UniversityYichang, China
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Hepatoprotective Effects of Steamed and Freeze-Dried Mature Silkworm Larval Powder against Ethanol-Induced Fatty Liver Disease in Rats. Foods 2020; 9:foods9030285. [PMID: 32143357 PMCID: PMC7142575 DOI: 10.3390/foods9030285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Silkworm, Bombyx mori, contains high amounts of beneficial nutrients, including amino acids, proteins, essential minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. We have previously reported a technique for producing steamed and freeze-dried mature silkworm larval powder (SMSP), which makes it easier to digest mature silkworm. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of SMSP on alcoholic fatty liver disease and elucidated its mechanism of action. Male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with SMSP (50 mg/kg) or normal diet (AIN-76A) were administered 25% ethanol (3 g/kg body weight) by oral gavage for 4 weeks. SMSP administration for 4 weeks significantly decreased hepatic fat accumulation in ethanol-treated rats by modulating lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation-related molecules such as sirtuin 1, AMP-activated protein kinase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1. Moreover, SMSP administration significantly diminished the levels of triglyceride in liver tissues by as much as 35%, as well as lowering the serum levels of triglyceride, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, alanine transaminase, and aspartate aminotransferase in ethanol-treated rats. SMSP supplementation also decreased the pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 1 beta levels and cytochrome P450 2E1 generating oxidative stress. These results suggest that SMSP administration may be possible for the prevention of alcoholic liver disease.
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