EFFECTS OF S-ADENOSYL-L-METHIONINE AND INTERFERON-ALPHA-2(B) ON LIVER-DAMAGE INDUCED BY BILE-DUCT LIGATION IN RATS

Interferon-alpha(2b) (IFN) is known to prevent and to reverse experime ntal liver fibrosis and damage. S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) is a wel l-known hepatoprotective substance, The aim of the present work was to determine the effect of the administration of both drugs simultaneous ly to bile duct-ligated rats, Administration of IFN (50000 IU s.c.) an d/or SAM (10 mg kg(-1) i.m.) began 15 days after biliary obstruction a nd continued for a further 15 days, The liver was used for glycogen an d collagen quantification. Bilirubins and enzyme activities were measu red in serum, Either SAM or IFN ameliorated all markers of liver damag e studied, However, when administered together their beneficial effect s were markedly reduced, It is not possible to explain the antagonisti c effect of these compounds on liver damage with the present data, Mor e studies are needed to determine SAM-IFN interactions, (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.