Effect of glycine on tissue fatty acid composition in an experimental model of alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the administration of glycine, a non-essential amino acid, on blood alcohol levels and tissue fatty acid composition in experimental rats. 2. Liver cell damage was induced by the administration of ethanol (7.9 g/kg bodyweight) for 30 days by intragastric intubation. Control rats were given isocaloric glucose solution. Glycine was subsequently administered at a dose of 0.6 g/kg bodyweight every day by intragastric intubation for the next 30 days. 3. Feeding alcohol significantly elevated the activities of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatases (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and altered the liver and brain fatty acid composition compared with control rats. Subsequently, glycine supplementation to alcohol-fed rats significantly lowered the activities of serum AST, ALT, ALP, GGT and normalized the liver and brain fatty acid composition compared with untreated alcohol-fed rats. 4. Thus, the present study demonstrates that oral administration of glycine confers a significant protective effect against alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity by virtue of its ability to optimize the activities of serum AST, ALT, ALP and GGT, as well as the tissue fatty acid composition.