Corn peptides protect against thioacetamide-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

J Med Food. 2013 Oct;16(10):912-9. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2012.2626. Epub 2013 Sep 24.

Abstract

Certain bioactive peptides are reported to be able to alleviate hepatic fibrosis. Our previous work has confirmed the hepatoprotective effect of corn peptides (CPs) that are prepared from a high protein by-product, corn gluten meal, on acute liver injury in an animal model. However, the antifibrotic activity of CPs remained to be elucidated. In this study, the hepatoprotective effect of CPs on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis was tested. Results showed that CPs (100 mg/kg body weight) significantly decreased the levels of alanine transaminase/aspartate transaminase, laminin, type IV collagen, and type III collagen in serum and increased the serum albumin levels and total antioxidant capacity. Additionally, with CP treatment (100 mg/kg body weight), a significant decrease was observed in the levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, hydroxyproline, transforming growth factor β1, and lactate dehydrogenase activity as well as the liver index, while the activity of superoxidedismutase was significantly increased in livers. The histological and morphological analysis showed that the hepatocyte structure in CP-treated rats was superior to that of TAA-injured rats, and inflammation and fibrosis were also ameliorated. Therefore, CPs can be used as an option for prevention and adjuvant therapy of liver fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / chemically induced
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis / prevention & control*
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Peptide Mapping
  • Peptides / administration & dosage*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Protective Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Thioacetamide / adverse effects
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Zea mays / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Peptides
  • Plant Proteins
  • Protective Agents
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Thioacetamide
  • Malondialdehyde