Protective effect of S-adenosylmethionine against galactosamine-induced injury of rat hepatocytes in primary culture

Abstract

The protective effect of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/l was tested on D-galactosamine-induced injury of rat hepatocytes in primary culture. Lactate dehydrogenase activity in medium and glutathione content in hepatocytes were measured to analyse hepatocyte injury and antioxidative conditions of hepatocytes.

Evaluation of urea production and albumin synthesis allowed to determine the functional capacity of hepatocytes. Our findings indicate the beneficial effect of SAMe, especially of higher concentration, on hepatocytes exposed to 40 mM galactosamine that seems to be associated with reduction of plasma membrane damage and increased synthesis of glutathione.