Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of porcine plasma protein hydrolysates on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats

Abstract

Porcine plasma protein hydrolysate (PPH) prepared by alcalase for 5h was fractioned by ultrafiltration. Four fractions, H1 (MW>10k), H2 (MW 6–10k), H3 (MW 3–6k) and H4 (MW<3k), were obtained. H4 possessed the highest antioxidant activity as indicated by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance values and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (P<0.01). Male rats were pretreated with H4 at dose of 50, 100, and 200mg/kg of body weight orally once daily for 12days, then they were treated intraperitoneally with a single dose of CCl4 (2mL/kg of body weight). The results showed that oral feeding of H4 could significantly lower (P<0.01) the serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase). Compared with the CCl4-only treatment group, levels of hepatic superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity were significantly increased, and the malondialdehyde levels were sharply decreased (P<0.01) in rats treated by all doses of PPH fraction H4. A histological examination of the liver showed that lesions, including necrosis, lymphocyte infiltration and fatty degeneration, were partially healed by treatment with H4 fractions. These data suggest that in rats, PPH can protect the liver against CCl4-induced oxidative damage.