A nutrient mixture suppresses carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatic toxicity in ICR mice

We examined the effect of a nutrient mixture (NM) that contains lysine, proline, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a model of liver injury in which free radical, oxidative stress, and cytokine production are closely linked. Seven-week-old male Imprinting Control Region (ICR) mice were divided into four groups (A-D) of five animals each. Groups A and C mice were fed a regular diet for 2 weeks, whereas groups B and D mice were supplemented with 0.5% NM (w/w) during that period. Groups A and B received corn oil i.p., whereas groups C and D received CCl4 (25 microL/kg, in corn oil, i.p.). All animals were killed 24 h after CCl4 administration, serum was collected to assess liver and kidney functions, and livers and kidneys were excised for histology. Mean serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were comparable in groups A and B, increased markedly in group C, and significantly lowered in group D compared with group C. CCl4 had no significant effect on renal markers (blood urea nitrogen [BUN], creatinine, and BUN/creatinine ratio). CCl4 administration caused an intense degree of liver necrosis that was less severe in the NM fed group D. These results indicate that NM could be a useful supplement in preventing acute chemical-induced liver toxicity.