Njb. Carbarns et al., PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AN ESTROGEN AGAINST ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED LIVER-ENZYME RELEASE, International journal of experimental pathology, 74(3), 1993, pp. 309-315
Groups of mice were given oestrone acetate or vitamin E subcutaneously
to determine how these treatments might modify responses to endotoxic
lipopolysaccharide given intraperitoneally. Release of hepatic transa
minase and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) into serum and induction of ma
nganous superoxide dismutase in the liver were measured. Significantly
less transaminase and TNF were released into the circulation in mice
given the steroid or vitamin E before the endotoxin. In endotoxin-trea
ted animals oestrogen administration did not influence induction of th
e superoxide dismutase. It is postulated that protection of the liver
in these experiments arises from a direct pharmacological antioxidant
effect of the oestrogen.