BACKGROUND: We investigated the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty SPF KM mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: the control group, CCl4-model group, bifendate group (DDB group), and low-, moderate-, and high-dose GSP groups. The following parameters were measured: serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT); aspartate aminotransferase (AST); tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; interleukin-6 (IL-6); high-mobility group box (HMGB)-1; body weight; liver, spleen, and thymus indexes; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity; HMGB1 mRNA; malondialdehyde (MDA) content; hepatocyte proliferation; and changes in liver histology.

RESULTS: Compared to the CCl4-model group, decreases in liver index and increases in thymus index significantly increased SOD and GSH-Px activities and reduced MDA content, and higher hepatocyte proliferative activity was found in all GSP dose groups and the DDB group (all P<0.001). Compared with the CCl4-model group, serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels and HMGB 1 mRNA and protein expressions decreased significantly in the high GSP dose group (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide strong evidence that administration of GSPs might confer significant protection against CCl4-induced acute liver injury in mice.

Keywords: Alanine Transaminase - blood, Aspartate Aminotransferases - blood, Carbon Tetrachloride, Glutathione Peroxidase - metabolism, Grape Seed Extract - therapeutic use, HMGB1 Protein - metabolism, Hepatocytes - pathology, Interleukin-6 - blood, Liver - pathology, Liver Diseases - pathology, Malondialdehyde - metabolism, Proanthocyanidins - therapeutic use, Protective Agents - pharmacology, RNA, Messenger - metabolism, Spleen - pathology, Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism, Thymus Gland - pathology, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - blood, Weight Gain - drug effects