Hepatoprotective Effect of Echinochrome Pigment in Septic Rats

Sepsis is an inevitable stage of bacterial invasion characterized by the deregulated inflammatory response, resulting in multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. Acute liver injury is a common and serious complication in patients with severe sepsis. The most of conventional antibiotics in managing sepsis are effective, but they are accompanied by undesirable side effects. Therefore, the ongoing study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of echinochrome (Ech) pigment isolated from sea urchins on sepsis-induced liver damage using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model.

Male albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, CLP-induced sepsis, and septic rats treated with Ech. The estimation of liver function markers and oxidative status were analyzed.

The results demonstrated that Ech administration significantly improved liver function, as indicated by the decreased liver enzyme activities such as alanine transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase, as well as the increase of albumin content. Moreover, Ech could counteract the hepatic oxidative stress induced by CLP via a marked increment in glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-s-transferase), as well as downregulation of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide formation. In addition, the Ech treatment repaired, to some extent, the abnormal architecture of hepatic tissues induced by polymicrobial infection.

In conclusion, Ech could be used as a potential alternative antiseptic remedy via oxidative damage attenuation.