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Effect of β-alanine administration on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity

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Summary.

Mice were supplemented with β-alanine (3%) in drinking water for one week. β-Alanine intake reduced hepatic taurine levels, but elevated cysteine levels significantly. Hepatotoxicity of CCl4 in mice fed with β-alanine was decreased as determined by changes in serum enzyme activities. Hepatic glutathione and taurine concentrations after CCl4 challenge were increased markedly by β-alanine intake. The enhanced availability of cysteine for synthesis of glutathione and/or taurine appears to account for the hepatoprotective effects of β-alanine against CCl4-induced liver injury.

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Abbreviations

ALT:

alanine aminotransferase

AST:

aspartate aminotransferase

CYP:

cytochrome P450

GES:

guanidinoethane sulfinate

GSH:

glutathione

MAT:

methionine adenosyltransferase

SAH:

S-adenosylhomocysteine

SAM:

S-adenosylmethionine

SDH:

sorbitol dehydrogenase

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Lee, S., Kim, Y. Effect of β-alanine administration on carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatotoxicity. Amino Acids 33, 543–546 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0450-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-006-0450-7

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