Freshwater Clam Extract Ameliorates Acute Liver Injury Induced by Hemorrhage in Rats

Abstract

The freshwater clam is a widely-consumed shellfish and is used as a remedy for chronic hepatitis in Asia. However, its contribution to acute liver injury (ALI) remains unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the protective effects of freshwater clam extract (CE) in ALI induced by hemorrhage in rats. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, (1) blood loss (BL) 40%, (2) CE 150 mg/kg plus BL 40%, (3) CE 75 mg/kg plus BL 40%, (4) CE 150 mg/kg, and (5) CE 75 mg/kg groups. CE was given by femoral vein catheter in Groups 2 to 5. Initial hemorrhage was induced by withdrawing blood (loss 40% of total blood volume) from a femoral arterial catheter after CE administration in Groups 2 and 3. The levels of blood tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-10 (IL-10), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured at several time points during the experimental period. Rats were sacrificed after 48 hours, and the liver was harvested for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain to show liver tissue injury. The results indicated that hemorrhage significantly decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP), increased blood AST, ALT and LDH levels and induced liver injury. Pre-treatment with the CE increased MAP and IL-10 levels and decreased AST, ALT, LDH and TNF-alpha levels after hemorrhage. The HE stains showed diminished organ injury in the CE groups. In conclusion, freshwater clam extract is a potential immunomodulating agent and ameliorates acute liver injury.

Dietary freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) extract suppresses accumulation of hepatic lipids and increases in serum cholesterol and aminotransferase activities induced by dietary chloretone in rats

“…Studies have shown that freshwater clams have protective properties against liver injury induced D-galactosamine, 11) hemorrhage, 12) and CCl 4 13) in rats. In this study, we examined whether FCE and fat/protein fractions of FCE exerted hepatoprotective effects Table 2.…”

“…30) FCE administration ameliorates liver damage by suppressing the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which is induced by hemorrhage. 12) However, more investigations are required to ascertain if FCE and its fractions suppress TNF-α production in rats exposed to xenobiotics.…”

“…Studies have reported that freshwater clam extract (FCE) protects against liver injury, [11][12][13] ameliorates hypercholesterolemia [14][15][16][17] and fatty liver disease, 11,15) and accelerates ethanol metabolism.…”

“…18) Furthermore, FCE prevents the acute injury to liver cells induced by D-galactosamine, 11) hemorrhage, 12) or carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ).…”

Protective Effects of Water Extract of Clam on Normal andCCl4-Induced Damage in Primary Cultured Rat Hepatocytes

“…WEC contains high levels of free amino acids, glycogen, vitamins, and mineral substances which mediate many physiological functions (Peng et al, 2008;Watanabe et al, 2001;Wohlt et al, 1994). Previous studies have shown that WEC has beneficial effects such as reducing fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis, thus helping to prevent cardiovascular diseases (Childs et al, 1990;Iritani et al, 1979).…”