Protective effects of 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

AIM:To examine the effects of 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone(BP-1),a benzophenone derivative used as an ultraviolet light absorbent,on acetaminophen(APAP)induced hepatotoxicity in C57BL/6J mice.METHODS:Mice were administered orally with BP-1 at doses of 200,400 and 800 mg/kg body weight respectively every morning for 4 d before a hepatotoxic dose of APAP(350 mg/kg body weight) was given subcutaneously.Twenty four hours after APAP intoxication,the serum enzyme including serum alaine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) were measured and liver histopathologic changes were examined.RESULTS:BP-1 administration dramatically reduced serum ALT,AST and LDH levels.Liver histopathological examination showed that BP-1 administration antagonized APAP-induced liver pathological damage in a dose-dependent manner.Further tests showed that APAP-induced hepatic lipid peroxidation was reduced significantly by BP-1 pretreatment,and glutathione depletion was ameliorated obviously.CONCLUSION:BP-1 can effectively protect C57BL/6J mice from APAP-induced hepatotoxicity,and reduction of oxidative stress might be part of the protection mechanism.