2006 Volume 52 Issue 6 Pages 684-693
To determine the effect of concomitant oral ingestion of germanium-132 (Ge-132) and curcumin on the onsets of hepatitis and hepatic cancer in Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats, 40 rats were administered sterile water (NT), corn oil (Vehicle), Ge-132 (Ge), curcumin (Cur), or Ge-132 plus curcumin (GeCur) for 50 weeks. Plasma enzyme levels of asparate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyltrasferase (γGTP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured at Pre (6 weeks), Early (18-26 weeks), Late (30-38 weeks) and End (42-50 weeks) stages. Liver damage was assessed by the Histology Activity Index (HAI). In the group of Ge, LDH was significantly decreased at the End stage. In the group of Cur, LDH was remarkably decreased in the Early stage, whereas AST and LDH were significantly decreased in the End stage. In the GeCur group, AST, ALT, and γGTP were significantly increased in the Early stage, whereas LDH was significantly decreased in the End stage. The onset rate of icterus and the mortality rate were significantly increased in the GeCur groups (vs. Vehicle group, p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in HAI among the groups. Thus, concomitant oral ingestion of Ge-132 and curcumin may aggravate hepatic dysfunction, thereby increasing the mortality rate in LEC rats.
