2005 Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 47-57
In the present study, the effect of oligosaccharide fragments (MW 286-930) obtained enzymatically from corn branhemicellulose (CBH), a soluble dietary fiber, on the development of hepatitis induced by D-galactosamine was investigated. Seventy-two male Wistar rats that were fed a diet supplemented with the oligosaccharide fragments were administered D - galactosamine intraperitoneally at a dose of 500 mg/kg and euthanized just before injection (0 h) and 1, 3, 9, 16 and 22 h after injection. Plasma endotoxin concentrations, serum cytokine levels, and serum transaminase activities were analyzed in addition to liver DNA fragmentation. The results showed that the oligosaccharide fragments significantly suppressed the increase in plasma endotoxin concentrations and significantly depressed the enhancement of serum transaminase activities and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) but showed no effect on serum interferon-γ and liver DNA fragmentation .These results suggested that the oligosaccharide fragments obtained enzymatically from CBH might protect the liver against D - galactosamine hepatitis through the suppression of both plasma endotoxin increment and serum TNF-α production.
