Therapeutic effect of phycocyanin on acute liver oxidative damage caused by X-ray

Abstract

1) BackgroundPhycocyanin (PC) is a type of natural protein in algae with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the protective effect of PC on hepatic damage induced by X-ray remains unknown. 2) MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were gavaged with 200mg/kg PC for consecutive 7 days before or after radiation. The blood samples and tissues were collected on days 1 and 7 after radiation exposure. 3) ResultsPretreatment or treatment with PC decreased significantly the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST) in the plasma. Histological evaluation further confirmed the protection of PC against radiation-induced hepatotoxicity. PC-treatment also increased the relative mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH-PX), and descended the ROS in the liver. Moreover, the expression of H2AX, an indicator of DNA damage in mice, of the PC-intervention group was much smaller than that of the radiation group. In vivo, PC-treatment markedly up-regulated NF-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2) expression and downstream gene such as hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), NQO1. 4) Conclusion: PC could attenuate the radiation-induced oxidative stress damage by activating Nrf2/ HO-1 signaling pathway, and reduce the radiation-induced DNA damage. Therefore, PC is a protective agent against radiation-induced liver damage.