Dietary Biotin Supplementation Modifies Hepatic Morphology without Changes in Liver Toxicity Markers

Abstract

Pharmacological concentrations of biotin have pleiotropic effects. Several reports have documented that biotin supplementation decreases hyperglycemia. We have shown that a biotin-supplemented diet increased insulin secretion and the mRNA abundance of proteins regulating insulin transcription and secretion. We also found enlarged pancreatic islets and modified islet morphology. Other studies have shown that pharmacological concentrations of biotin modify tissue structure. Although biotin administration is considered safe, little attention has been given to its effect on tissue structure. In this study, we investigated the effect of biotin supplementation on hepatic morphology and liver toxicity markers. Male BALB/cAnN Hsd mice were fed a control or a biotin-supplemented diet for 8 weeks. Versus the control mice, biotin-supplemented mice had an altered portal triad with dilated sinusoids, increased vascularity, and bile conducts. Furthermore, we observed an increased proportion of nucleomegaly and binucleated hepatocytes. In spite of the liver morphological changes, no differences were observed in the serum liver damage indicators, oxidative stress markers, or antioxidant enzymes. Our data demonstrate for the first time that biotin supplementation affects liver morphology in normal mice, and that these modifications are not paralleled with damage markers.

The Effect of Sappan Wood Extract (Caesalpinia sappan), Wheat grass and Vitamin E Treatment on the Liver Structure of Iron overload of Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

“…For example, in T8 group were given Fe, vitamin E and sappan wood extract (EKS) dose 100 mg/kg bw/day, which is 4.02 ± 0.97. It could be caused by steatosis, which is the occurrence of fats in liver cells and the formation of small vacuoles in liver cells that surround the cell nucleus that contains a large numbers of fatty liver, thus the volume of each hepatocyte swelling and enlargement of liver organs [14]. On the other treatment, the value of liver weight per body weight was close to the value of control.…”

“…This toxic effect may further lead to changes in morphology due to changes in physiological and microscopic tissue structure. In addition, oxidative damage could cause shrinkage on the liver cells due to blockage of blood vessels in the liver [14].…”

“…Thus, causing abnormalities symptoms on liver cells, for instance, fats degeneration and blockage on blood flow. Therefore, the blood goes to the liver stuck, which causes the shrinkage on liver to constrict [14].…”

“…Central venous narrowing might be due to the blockage on blood vessels that carry blood from the rest of the body, caused by the presence of toxic or metal that accumulates in the body. Thus, the settings in the hepatic plates and sinusoids obstructed [14].…”

“…Liver receives all the materials that are absorbed through the intestinal portal vein. Portal vein carries all compounds and metals into the liver which then will be excreted [14]. However, the body does not have a natural mechanism for removing excess iron, thus Fe that is a transition metal will be a source of endogenous free radicals in the body Free radicals (Reactive Oxygen Species: ROS) are formed with the help of iron as catalyst.…”