Suppressive effect of penta-acetyl geniposide on the development of γ- glutamyl transpeptidase foci-induced by aflatoxin B1 in rats

The suppressive effects of penta-acetyl geniposide, (Ac)5-GP, on the hepatotoxic lesions-induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were investigated in male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into six groups: groups I and II served as normal and solvent control, respectively; group III was given AFB1 (2 mg/kg body weight) alone; group IV was given (Ac)5-GP (2 mg/kg) alone; and groups V and VI received both AFB1 (2 mg/kg body weight) and (Ac)5-GP (1 mg and 2 mg/kg body weight, respectively). Rats received treatments for 8 weeks, then were maintained on basal diet for 32 weeks. At the end of the experiment (week 40), the liver lesions (e.g. fatty change, eosinophilic and bile duct dilation) and preneoplastic changes in rats of groups V and VI were reduced when they were compared with group III. There were no liver lesions and preneoplastic changes in rats treated with (Ac)5-GP alone. Although no differences in the total number of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)-positive foci was observed between the groups treated with AFB1 along with or without (Ac)5-GP, the treatment of (Ac)5-GP significantly reduced the number of AFB1-induced GGT positive foci (with diameter larger than 0.3 mm). These results indicated that the protective effect of (Ac)5-GP on early hepatocarcinogenesis-induced by AFB1 was associated with the inhibition of GGT foci development. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.