Tamoxifen Prevents D-galactosamine/Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Murine Acute Hepatic Failure through Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and Mmd-2 Upregulation

Oxidative stress is considered one of the major mechanisms underlying lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver failure (ALF). Tamoxifen has been reported to ameliorate LPS-induced ALF via the induction of monocyte to macrophage differentiation-associated 2 (Mmd-2). Whether antioxidant effects are involved remains unknown. Mice were given tamoxifen (TAM) once a day for 3days. Twelve hours later, d-galactosamine (GaIN) and LPS were injected intraperitoneally to induce ALF. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) was administered immediately after ALF induction as a positive control. The results showed that serum transaminases increased and hepatic antioxidants decreased significantly in the model group. ALF was alleviated markedly by TAM or NAC treatment. This demonstrated that ALF may be associated with excessive oxidative stress caused by decreased expression of antioxidant enzymes. Both TAM and NAC increased the levels and activity of these antioxidant enzymes significantly (p<0.05). Hepatic Mmd-2 expression was downregulated in the control group while remaining stable or exhibiting elevated levels in the TAM or NAC groups. The results indicate that TAM may protect mice from GaIN/LPS-induced ALF through increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and upregulation of Mmd-2 expression.