Protective action of putrescine against rat liver injury

The hepatoprotective action of orally dosed putrescine was investigated using rat models of liver injury. When rats received putrescine orally soon after a dose of carbon tetrachloride or D-galactosamine, deranged serum alanine aminotransferase values and prothrombin times were significantly attenuated compared with control levels, with improved histologic extent of liver injury. Putrescine addition to the medium of rat hepatocytes in primary culture reduced cell killing induced by D-galactosamine or the membrane detergents chenodeoxycholic acid and Triton X-100. Similar reduction was seen in cells exposed to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), an agent producing cell death through lipid peroxidation, with attenuation of cellular malondialdehyde content. Putrescine also significantly attenuated the extent of increased plasma membrane microviscosity as assessed with 1-[4-(trimethylammonio)phenyl]-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene in TBHP-treated cells. These results suggest that orally given putrescine protects against liver injury. Plasma membrane stabilization and reduction of lipid peroxidation may contribute to this hepatoprotection.