Yoko Aniya (1), Takahiro Yokomakura (1), Masato Yonamine (1), Tatsumi
Nagamine (2) and Hisaharu Nakanishi (3)
(1) Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Health Sciences,
(2) Clinical Laboratory of the University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine,
University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0215, Japan
(3) Tropical Technology Center Limited, Okinawa 904-2234, Japan
Abstract: Antioxidant and hepatoprotective actions of the mold
Monascus anka (also called Beni-Koji in Japan) against acetaminophen (AAP)-induced
liver toxicity were investigated. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and glutathione
S-transferase (GST) activities increased by AAP (180 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment
were depressed when the Beni-Koji preparation (4 ml/kg, i.p.) was given
15 and 1 hr before AAP administration. The decrease in liver cytosolic GST
activity by AAP, reflecting the release of the enzyme into serum, was also
blocked by the mold. Cytochrome P450 activity was inhibited by the Beni-Koji
preparation. These results suggest that M. anka prevents AAP-induced liver
toxicity by both antioxidant action and the inhibition of AAP metabolism.
Keywords: Acetaminophen, Mold, Antioxidant