Protective effect of sulfated polysaccharide isolated from Ulva fasciata against galactosamine-induced liver injury in rats

Abstract

© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The hepatoprotective potential of sulfated polysaccharide (SPS) from Ulva fasciata seaweed against galactosamine (GalN)-induced hepatotoxicity was investigated. Subcutaneous injection of 300 mg/kg GalN into rats caused acute liver injury as manifested by the downregulation of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) gene expression and induction of hepatic proinflammatory cytokines production, and fibrosis as demonstrated by the significant upregulation of hepatic transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and collagen type I (Col1a1) genes expression. Conversely, pretreatment of rats with SPS attenuated GalN-induced hepatotoxicity via inducing liver SIRT1 gene expression and suppressing proinflammatory cytokines synthesis, which ultimately reduced liver fibrogenesis. Histological findings of liver tissues verified the biochemical data. The study clarified some of the molecular mechanisms by which SPS isolated from U. fasciata protects the liver against acute GalN-induced injury. Practical applications: The results suggest the potential use of this edible SPS isolated from Ulva fasciata as a food additive to prevent and/or attenuate development of hepatitis.