[Antagonizing effect of sodium ferulate on the changes of hepatic antioxidative function induced by ethanol in mice]

Effects of ethanol at different dosages on hepatic antioxidative and detoxicating functions and the antagonizing effect of sodium ferulate have been investigated in mice. The data showed that ethanol (11.4 g.kg-1, ig) could induce the increase of hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and decreases of hepatic glutathione reductase (GSH-Re), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities and reduce glutathione (GSH) content. At the same time, serum GST activity was increased. Pretreatment with sodium ferulate (100 mg.kg-1 ig, qd x 10 d) completely reversed these changes induced by ig ethanol in mice, indicating that sodium ferulate could protect mice from ethanol-induced acute hepatotoxicity. The hepato-protective mechanism of sodium ferulate may be related to intensification of the function of glutathione oxidative-reductive enzymes, enhancement of SOD activity and promotion of glutathione conjugation. The results also indicate that the serum GST level is a sensitive indicator in ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity.