Hepatoprotective Effects of Paramylon, a .BETA.-1,3-D-Glucan Isolated from Euglena gracilis Z, on Acute Liver Injury Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Rats

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Paramylon is a -(1-3)-D-glucan isolated from Euglena gracilis Z. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of paramylon on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) in rats. Wistar stain male rats were orally administered paramylon (500, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg body weight) before treatment with a single intraperitoneal dose of 50% CCl 4 (2 ml/kg body weight). The rats were sacrificed 24 hr later, and blood samples were collected for assay of serum biochemical parameters. The livers were excised to evaluate the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Histopathological examination of the livers was also performed. The results showed that the treatment of paramylon prevented elevation of the serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers and inhibited fatty degeneration and hepatic necrosis induced by CCl 4 . Pre-administration of paramylon reduced the liver apoptotic index. The treatment of paramylon recovered reductions of activity of hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase induced by CCl 4 . These results demonstrate that paramylon exhibits protective action on acute hepatic injury induced by CCl 4 via an antioxidative mechanism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a hepatoprotective effect based on the antioxidative action of paramylon.

Oral Administration of Paramylon, a .BETA.-1,3-D-Glucan Isolated from Euglena gracilis Z Inhibits Development of Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in NC/Nga Mice

“…Native paramylon shows cytokine-related immunopotentiating activity [18] and a hepatoprotective effect via antioxidative activities [32]. Sulfated derivatives of paramylon and N, N-dimethylaminoethyl paramylon exhibit both the anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and antimicrobial effects [16,27].…”

Large-Scale Cultivation of Euglena

“…It was established as a highly valuable source of protein with high methionine content, which is a characteristic of animal proteins (Kott and Wachs 1964;Hosotani and Kitaoka 1977;Kitaoka and Hosotani 1977). E. gracilis also contains all essential vitamins and nutritionally important polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid in the cells (Stern et al 1960;Baker et al 1981) (euglena Co., Ltd., unpublished). In addition, recent studies have demonstrated the functionality of the Euglena-specific reserve polysaccharide, paramylon (Sugiyama et al 2009(Sugiyama et al , 2010Watanabe et al 2013), suggesting the commercial potential of E. gracilis.…”

Long-term feeding with Euglena gracilis cells modulates immune responses, oxidative balance and metabolic condition in Diplodon chilensis (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Hyriidae) exposed to living Escherichia coli

“…Paramylon extracted from Euglena gracilis increases immune responses against infection in fish [12], exerts antioxidant protective action on acute hepatic injury in rats [13] and potentiates the resistance of shrimps against stress conditions during growing and handling [8]. It has also been suggested that highly nutritious proteins contained in Euglena species cells would strengthen the effect of paramylon; whereas antioxidant compounds would exert a direct protective action against oxidative stress [1].…”