Abstract
Aplysin, a member of the bromine‐sesquiterpene compounds family, was mainly extracted from red alga Laurencia tristicha. This study aimed to explore the effects of Aplysin on rat liver, intestine, Kupffer cells and intestinal flora in rats exposed to alcohol. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group, ethanol‐model group, and Aplysin‐treated group. Except control group, rats were exposed to ethanol at dose of 6 g/kg/d for first four weeks, then 8 g/kg/d for last four weeks. One hour after that, Aplysin‐treated group was given oral administration of Aplysin at 150 mg/kg/bw on a daily basis. After 8 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and liver and intestine were collected for histological and biochemical assessments, plasma was collected for endotoxin level measurement with commercial kit, primary rat Kupffer cell cultures were established for measuring expression of CD14, TLR4 and NF‐kB using RT‐PCR and production of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in liver Kupffer cells using ELISA. Fecal samples were collected for quantitative analysis of intestinal floras. We found that Aplysin reduced the alcohol‐induced hepatic and intestinal histopathological changes and plasma endotoxin levels, and also suppressed the elevation of biomarkers for liver damage (AST, ALT, ALP, CHE and GGT). In primary Kupffer cell cultures, asplysin significantly decreased expression of CD14, TLR4, and NF‐kB as well as production of TNF‐α and IL‐1β. In addition, Aplysin significantly affected the changes in intestinal floras, including Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. In conclusion, Aplysin exerted potent liver‐protective effect, which is associated with modulation of Kupffer cells function and altered intestinal flora.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by Grants from the National Nature Science Foundation of China (No.81573137) and Dietary Nutrition Research and Education Foundation of Danone Nutrition Center (No. DIC2014‐03)
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