Hepatoprotective activity of a new germanium-organic biologically active substance (medgerm) in experimental hepatitis

Aim. To study of the influence of new germanium-organic biologically active substance (medgerm) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in rats with galactosamin-induced acute hepatitis. Methods. The experiments were carried out on Wistar male rats. Acute toxic hepatitis in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine. Experimental animals were divided into 4 groups: first group (n=10) - intact animals that received 0.9% sodium chloride solution intraperitoneal injections throughout the observation period (control group); second group (n=40) - animals that received only D-galactosamine; third group (n=40) - rats that received medgerm intraperitoneal injections 7 days before and 7 days after the administration of D-galactosamine. The dose and administration regimen of medgerm were pre-defined. The fourth group (n=40) included rats that received Essentiale® N in the same mode as a comparator drug. Determination of thiobarbituric acid reactants, reduced glutathione levels in serum and liver homogenate supernatant, as well as superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were carried out in 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after the administration of liver toxins. Results. Medgerm has a significant effect on pro- and antioxidant homeostasis in acute toxic galactosamine-induced hepatitis. It effectively prevented the generation and accumulation of lipid peroxidation end products and preserved the activity of nonenzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant system parts. In animals treated with medgerm, studied parameters restored to reach the baseline level faster than in rats with galactosamine-induced hepatitis that were not treated with medgerm. Conclusion. The findings suggest that medgerm has the antioxidant activity and a membrane-mediated action in acute toxic hepatitis.

germanium-organic substances, copper, medgerm, acute toxic hepatitis, antioxidant protection