Improvement of liver function by the administration of oyster extract as a dietary supplement to habitual alcohol drinkers: A pilot study

Abstract

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by elevated serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity with hepatic steatosis, hepatitis or occasionally fibrosis that may progress to cirrhosis. The potential therapeutic role of oyster extract (OE) or OE-containing dietary supplements (OE supplement) in ALD has seldom been evaluated. In the present study, 84 adults who had an alcohol-drinking habit and marginally high serum GGT levels were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled feeding trial to study the effect on alcohol-impaired liver function as reflected by an increased serum level of GGT, as well as the safety, of an OE supplement. The subjects were randomized to receive either an OE supplement (OE group) or placebo (placebo group). There were 42 subjects (31 males and 11 females) in each group, and all the enrolled subjects entered the study. Four individuals (5%) dropped out for reasons unassociated with the study and 6 other subjects were excluded from the efficacy analysis because they did not maintain the required frequency of alcohol intake. As a result, 38 subjects in the placebo group and 36 in the OE group underwent efficacy assessment. Assays of GGT and other liver enzymes were performed at baseline (week 0) and at weeks 4, 8 and 12 of the intervention period. The mean serum levels of GGT in the placebo group gradually increased, while those in the OE group tended to decrease, although no significant within-group differences were observed for either group. A significant between-group difference in the change of mean GGT from baseline was, however, found at week 12 (P=0.049). No OE supplement-associated untoward side-effects nor any abnormal changes in routine laboratory tests and anthropometric parameters were observed throughout the 12-week intervention. An OE supplement shows promise in reducing risk factors associated with ALD in adults with an alcohol intake habit.

Dipeptide YA is Responsible for the Positive Effect of Oyster Hydrolysates on Alcohol Metabolism in Single Ethanol Binge Rodent Models

“…It was necessary to first test the effect of oyster extract or lyophilized oyster powder untreated with hydrolase to determine whether it has similar activity as OH. Although many reports have demonstrated the hepatoprotective effect of oyster extract, the method of making oyster extract differs between reports, and some comments have been omitted [ 48 , 49 , 50 ]. So, we were unable to accurately determine the effect of oyster extract.…”

miR‑148a‑3p regulates alcoholic liver fibrosis through targeting ERBB3

“…Since the majority of miRNAs involved in various physiological and pathological processes are highly conserved, and miRNA expression is tissue-specific, studying the characteristics of miRNAs can provide novel insights into the detection and treatment of certain associated diseases (36,37). Alcoholic liver disease, which is a common condition affecting the digestive system, is characterized by impaired liver function (38). In previous studies, miRNAs have been identified to serve an important role in cell differentiation and function of the liver; therefore, the comprehensively study of miRNAs may also provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease in humans (39,40).…”

Protective effects of oyster protein hydrolysates on alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD) in mice: based on the mechanism of anti-oxidative metabolism

“…9 The global oyster aquaculture production is dominated by China, which accounted for 86% of global production by weight in 2016. 10 Previous studies have indicated that oyster extract showed liver protection activity in adults with an alcohol intake habit 11 and rat models of alcoholic liver injury. 12 However, the biological mechanisms underlying the physiological functions have not been well elucidated.…”