State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, CAS, People's Republic of China.
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2011 Aug 15;255(1):9-17. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2011.05.011. Epub 2011 May 27.
Microcystins (MCs), the products of blooming algae Microcystis, are waterborne environmental toxins that have been implicated in the development of liver cancer, necrosis, and even fatal intrahepatic bleeding. Alternative protective approaches in addition to complete removal of MCs in drinking water are urgently needed. In our previous work, we found that sulforaphane (SFN) protects against microcystin-LR (MC-LR)-induced cytotoxicity by activating the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated defensive response in human hepatoma (HepG2) and NIH 3T3 cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate and confirm efficacy the SFN-induced multi-mechanistic defense system against MC-induced hepatotoxicity in an animal model. We report that SFN protected against MC-LR-induced liver damage and animal death at a nontoxic and physiologically relevant dose in BALB/c mice. The protection by SFN included activities of anti-cytochrome P450 induction, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis. Our results suggest that SFN may protect mice against MC-induced hepatotoxicity. This raises the possibility of a similar protective effect in human populations, particularly in developing countries where freshwaters are polluted by blooming algae.
微囊藻毒素（MCs）是藻类水华产生的产物，是一种水生环境毒素，与肝癌的发展、坏死，甚至致命的肝内出血有关。除了在饮用水中完全去除 MCs 之外，还迫切需要其他替代的保护方法。在我们之前的工作中，我们发现萝卜硫素（SFN）通过激活 NF-E2 相关因子 2（Nrf2）介导的防御反应，在人肝癌（HepG2）和 NIH 3T3 细胞中保护免受微囊藻毒素-LR（MC-LR）诱导的细胞毒性。本研究旨在研究和确认 SFN 诱导的多机制防御系统对 MC 诱导的动物模型肝毒性的疗效。我们报告 SFN 在 BALB/c 小鼠中以非毒性和生理相关剂量保护免受 MC-LR 诱导的肝损伤和动物死亡。SFN 的保护作用包括细胞色素 P450 诱导、抗氧化、抗炎和抗凋亡活性。我们的结果表明，SFN 可能保护小鼠免受 MC 诱导的肝毒性。这提出了在人类中可能具有类似保护作用的可能性，特别是在受藻类水华污染的淡水的发展中国家。
