Prevention of aluminum-induced hepatotoxicity by a complex of oxidized pectin and oxymethyluracil: an experimental study in rats
Objective - The aim of the study was to experimentally assess the preventive effect of a complex of oxidized pectin and oxymethyluracil on chronic aluminum-induced hepatotoxicity in rats based on molecular and biochemical parameters. Materials and Methods. The experiment was conducted on 56 outbred female rats that received oral administration of aluminum hydroxide at a dose of 15 mg/kg and a chelate complex of oxidized pectin with oxymethyluracil (50 mg/kg) under various preventive and post-exposure regimens for 3-4 months. The expression of metallothionein genes (Mt1, Mt2, Mt3) and zinc transporter genes (Zip1, Zip8) in liver tissue was determined by real-time PCR using specific primers, SYBR Green intercalating dye, and the reference gene Gapdh. Serum activity of AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH was measured; statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21 software with one-way ANOVA at a critical significance level of p=0,05. Results. In our study, chronic aluminum exposure was associated with an increase in Zip1 gene expression in the liver, whereas continuous administration of the oxidized pectin-oxymethyluracil complex normalized its expression to control levels. The expression of Zip8 and metallothionein genes (Mt1a, Mt2a, Mt3a) did not change significantly among the experimental groups. At the biochemical level, this complex, when used preventively, contributed to a reduction in AST and LDH activity. Conclusion. The oxidized pectin-oxymethyluracil complex in a rat model of chronic aluminum hydroxide exposure normalizes Zip1 gene expression and reduces AST and LDH activity. Further studies using an expanded set of morphological and molecular markers are required to clarify the organoprotective mechanisms of the complex.