Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
Inducing Acute Liver Injury in Rats via Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) Exposure Through an Orogastric Tube
Published on: April 28, 2020
Protective effect of a marine polyphenol, dieckol against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver damage in mouse
Min-Cheol Kang1, Sung-Myung Kang, Ginnae Ahn
1Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
In this study, the hepatoprotective effect of dieckol on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatic damages in ICR mice liver was investigated. Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups such as saline treated (negative control), CCl4 treated (positive control), CCl4+dieckol (5mg/kg mouse) and CCl4+dieckol (25mg/kg mouse), respectively. The body weights and survival rates of mice, followed by dieckol treatments were significantly increased compared to the positive control. The level of GOT, GPT and MDA in the serum of the dieckol treated groups were reduced dose dependently than the control, significantly. The antioxidant enzymes including CAT, and GSH-px levels were increased significantly compared to the positive control. However, no significant differences were observed on hepatic histophathological analysis in dieckol treated groups dose dependently. Down-regulation of Bax and up-regulation of Bcl-xl protein expressions were observed in liver tissues of the dieckol administered groups. These results suggested that, dieckol can be developed as a therapeutic agent for liver disease by oxidative stress.
Insights
Dieckol demonstrates significant hepatoprotective effects against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice. This natural compound improved survival and key liver enzyme levels, suggesting potential as a therapeutic agent for liver disease.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a known hepatotoxin that induces oxidative stress and liver damage.
- Investigating natural compounds for hepatoprotective properties is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies.
- Dieckol, a component of Ecklonia cava, has shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of dieckol against CCl4-induced liver injury in ICR mice.
- To evaluate the impact of dieckol on oxidative stress markers and liver function.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying dieckol's protective effects.
Main Methods:
- ICR mice were administered CCl4 to induce liver damage and treated with varying doses of dieckol.
- Body weight, survival rates, serum levels of GOT, GPT, and MDA were measured.
- Antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, GSH-px) and hepatic histopathology were assessed.
- Protein expression of Bax and Bcl-xl in liver tissues was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Dieckol treatment significantly increased body weight and survival rates compared to the CCl4-only group.
- Serum levels of GOT, GPT, and MDA were dose-dependently reduced by dieckol.
- Activities of antioxidant enzymes CAT and GSH-px were significantly elevated in dieckol-treated groups.
- While histopathology showed no significant changes, dieckol modulated Bax and Bcl-xl protein expression, indicating an anti-apoptotic effect.
Conclusions:
- Dieckol exhibits significant hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced liver damage in mice.
- The protective mechanism involves the reduction of oxidative stress and modulation of apoptosis-related proteins.
- Dieckol shows potential as a therapeutic agent for managing liver diseases associated with oxidative stress.
