Hepatoprotective effect of silyamarin in individuals chronically exposed to hydrogen sulfide; modulating influence of TNF-α cytokine genetic polymorphism

Abstract

Background and the purpose of the studySilymarin, a standardized extract of the milk thistle (Silybum marianum), is believed to exert some of its hepatoprotective effects though inhibition of free radicals and inflammation. In this study the effect of some pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and also antioxidant genes polymorphisms on the hepatoprotective effects of silymarin in the occupationally exposed individuals to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the sour natural gas refinery was investigated.MethodsWe genotyped seven polymorphisms in six genes reported by others as modifiers of oxidative stress (NQO1, mEPXH1, GSTT1 and GSTM1) and inflammation (TNF-α and TGF-β1) for an association in effect of decreasing in liver function tests (LFTs). The LFTs of 77 sour gas refinery workers were measured before and after administration of silymarin (140 mg, three times per day for 1 month).ResultsA significant reduction of blood AST, ALT and ALP was observed after 30 days of consumption (p < 0.001). The decreasing effect of silymarin on ALT in the subjects with high producer genotype (A allele carriers) was less than low producers. There were no significant associations between TGF-β1 and the studied genes of oxidative stress pathway and the effectiveness of silymarin.ConclusionThis is the first report about the effectiveness of silymarin in the subjects exposed chronically to H2S. Meanwhile, the modulatory effect of TNF-α on the effectiveness of silymarin might be used for individualize therapy.

Anti-Apoptosis Effects on Hearts of SHSST Cyclodextrin Complex in a Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Rat Model

“…Silymarin has been shown to resist hepatocyte and cardiomyocyte apoptosis (4,7,18). The results from this study also confirmed that CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis in rat hearts indeed utilized the FAS-L/FAS/ FADD-induced death pathway.…”

Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

“…This outcome was in agreement with results of other studies that have indicated the antiinflammatory properties of silymarin and its potential for inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-2 and INF-γ through the suppression of various inflammatory pathways (Manna et al 1999;Gharagozlooa et al 2010). Previously, the anti-inflammatory characteristics and probable underlying mechanisms of silymarin had been demonstrated in cell line studies (Kang et al 2004;Mandegary et al 2013), which may explain the changes of hs-CRP levels observed in our study. It has been claimed that silymarin can inhibit the formation of 5-lypoxiganase products including lukotrienes and also inhibit enzymatic peroxidation in the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways involved in inflammation (Gupta et al 1999;Alarcon et al 1992).…”

Silymarin improved 6-OHDA-induced motor impairment in hemi-parkisonian rats: behavioral and molecular study

“…Silymarin (SM), is a polyphenolic flavonoid derived from the seeds and fruits of the milk thistle plant ( Silybum marianum ), routinely used to treat liver diseases and have antioxidative [ 17 ], anti-apoptotic [ 18 ], anti-inflammatory [ 19 , 20 ], and neuroprotective properties [ 21 ]. The anti-oxidative activity of SM is due to the scavenging of free radicals and activation of superoxide dismutase [ 22 ].…”