Galectin-1 exhibits a protective effect against hepatotoxicity induced by dextran sulfate sodium in mice

Hum Exp Toxicol. 2020 Apr;39(4):423-432. doi: 10.1177/0960327119891224. Epub 2019 Dec 1.

Abstract

Galectin-1 is an important mediator that regulates the T-cell-mediated immune response. It has many other biological functions such as cell growth, immunomodulation, and wound healing. The aim of this study was to reveal the role of galectin-1 on liver morphology, cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress, and antioxidant system in colitis-mediated hepatotoxicity induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). In the present study, adult mice were divided into four groups: The control group intraperitoneally injected with phosphate buffer saline (I), the group which was orally administered with DSS (II), the control group which was injected with galectin-1 (III), and the group which was given DSS and galectin-1 (IV). DSS administration caused degenerative changes and diffuse necrotic damage, an increase in caspase-3 and cyclooxygenase-2 expression, the levels of lipid peroxidation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, lactate dehydrogenase, and myeloperoxidase activities, and a decrease in cell proliferation, interleukin-10 levels, and antioxidant system parameters in liver tissues. Treatment of DSS group with galectin-1 reversed these effects and prevented liver damage. This study showed that galectin-1 has proliferative, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects against DSS-induced liver injury in mice. It is expected considering all results of this study that galectin-1 may be useful as a protective agent against liver toxicity.

Keywords: Dextran sulfate sodium; galectin-1; hepatotoxicity; mouse; ulcerative colitis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis / immunology
  • Caspase 3 / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / enzymology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / immunology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / prevention & control*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / complications
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dextran Sulfate / toxicity
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Galectin 1 / pharmacology*
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress / genetics
  • Oxidative Stress / immunology
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Galectin 1
  • Protective Agents
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Dextran Sulfate
  • Ptgs2 protein, mouse
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Caspase 3