J Cancer Prev.  2016 Sep;21(3):164-172. 10.15430/JCP.2016.21.3.164.

Effects of S-Adenosylmethionine and Its Combinations With Taurine and/or Betaine on Glutathione Homeostasis in Ethanol-induced Acute Hepatotoxicity

• Lee SY
• Ko KS

• KMID: 2367574
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15430/JCP.2016.21.3.164

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Exposure to ethanol abuse and severe oxidative stress are risk factors for hepatocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) and its combinations with taurine and/or betaine on the level of glutathione (GSH), a powerful antioxidant in the liver, in acute hepatotoxicity induced by ethanol.
METHODS
To examine the effects of SAMe and its combinations with taurine and/or betaine on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity, AML12 cells and C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with SAMe, taurine, and/or betaine, followed by ethanol challenge. Cell viability was detected with an MTT assay. GSH concentration and mRNA levels of GSH synthetic enzymes were measured using GSH reductase and quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were measured with commercially available kits.
RESULTS
Pretreatment of SAMe, with or without taurine and/or betaine, attenuated decreases in GSH levels and mRNA expression of the catalytic subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL), the rate-limiting enzyme for GSH synthesis, in ethanol-treated cells and mice. mRNA levels of the modifier subunit of GCL and glutathione synthetase were increased in mice treated with SAMe combinations. SAMe, taurine, and/or betaine pretreatment restored serum ALT and AST levels to control levels in the ethanol-treated group.
CONCLUSIONS
Combinations of SAMe with taurine and/or betaine have a hepatoprotective effect against ethanol-induced liver injury by maintaining GSH homeostasis.

Keyword

S-adenosylmethionine; Taurine; Betaine; Ethanol; Glutathione

MeSH Terms

Alanine Transaminase
Animals
Aspartate Aminotransferases
Betaine*
Catalytic Domain
Cell Survival
Ethanol
Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase
Glutathione Synthase
Glutathione*
Homeostasis*
Liver
Mice
Oxidative Stress
Oxidoreductases
Risk Factors
RNA, Messenger
S-Adenosylmethionine*
Taurine*
Alanine Transaminase
Aspartate Aminotransferases
Betaine
Ethanol
Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase
Glutathione
Glutathione Synthase
Oxidoreductases
RNA, Messenger
S-Adenosylmethionine
Taurine