Suppressive effect of penta-acetyl geniposide on the development of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase foci-induced by aflatoxin B-1 in rats

The suppressive effects of penta-acetyl geniposide, (Ac)(5)-GP, on the hepa totoxic lesions-induced by aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) 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 AFB(1) (2 mg/ kg body weight) alone; group IV was given (Ac)(5)-GP (2 mg/kg) alone; and g roups V and VI received both AFB(1), (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 e xperiment (week 40), the liver lesions (e.g. fatty change, eosinophilic and bile duct dilation) and preneoplastic changes in rats of groups V and VI w ere reduced when they were compared with group III. There were no liver les ions and preneoplastic changes in rats treated with (Ac)(5)-GP alone. Altho ugh no differences in the total number of gamma -glutamyl transpeptidase (G GT)-positive foci was observed between the groups treated with AFB(1), alon g with or without (Ac)(5)-GP, the treatment of (Ac)(5)-GP significantly red uced the number of AFB(1),-induced CGT 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 AFB(1), was associated with th e inhibition of GGT foci development. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd . All rights reserved.