Fetoprotectivity of the flavanolignan compound siliphos against ethanol-induced toxicity

Of the three flavanolignans that are found in silymarin (Silybum marianum [ L.] Gaertn,), silybin is thought to be the primary therapeutic constituent. To test the capacity of silybin to protect the rat fetus from toxic effect s of maternally ingested EtOH we did the following: Adult female rats were assigned to one of four groups; EtOH, EtOH/silybin, pair-fed control, and c how fed control, Silybin was orally administered as Siliphos(R), which is o ne part silybin to two parts phosphatidylcholine. All groups except the cho w-fed control were maintained on a liquid diet throughout pregnancy. On day 21 of pregnancy the rats were killed and the fetuses removed. Gamma glutam yl transpeptidase (GGTP) activity and glutathione (GSH) levels were determi ned for liver and brain tissue for both the fetuses and the dams, Maternal and fetal GGTP activity in the EtOH rats was significantly higher than that of pair-fed controls, whereas the GGTP activity observed in the Siliphos(R )/EtOH rats was not elevated, Fetal mortality rates in the EtOH rats signif icantly exceeded those of all three other groups. Copyright (C) 2000 John W iley & Sons, Ltd.