Stabilization of rat liver lysosomes by (+)-cyanidanol-3 in vivo

Abstract

( + )-Cyanidanol-3. [(+)-catechin], administered by subcutaneous injection at a dose of 100 to 200 mg/kg/day for 6–20 days, exerts in vivo a stabilizing effect on lysosomal membranes in rat liver. This was demonstrated in normally fed rats and in animals whose lysosomes had been rendered fragile by intoxication with galactosamine and ethanol. Under these circumstances, the discharge of acid phosphatase, β-glucuronidase and β- N-acetylglucosaminidase by the lysosomes was significantly reduced, by 15–20 percent, compared to the controls. Moreover, in vitro, products of the oxidation of (+)-cyanidanol-3 exert a strong stabilizing effect on the lysosomal membrane. Such stabilization of the lysosomes may have a beneficial effect in various hepatic disorders involving abnormal fragility of the lysosomes.