Effects of Plaferon LB (PLB) on concanavalin A-induced hepatitis in mice

Manana Kvezereli*, Tinatin Chikovani*, Tamar Sanikidze**, Rusudan Rukhadze***,
Nino Cheishvili*, Tamar Sharashenidze*, Manana Papava**, Vladimer Bakhutashvili*

PLB is a mixture of human placental proteins possesing immunomodulatory, antihypoxic and other possibilities. The present study evaluated the effects of PLB on ConA induced hepatitis in mice. Dexamethasone as a control drug was used. After 4 h from ConA injection drugs were administrated intramuscularly. PLB as well as dexamethasone significantly decreased the activity of serum AlAT activity after 8, 24 and 48 h from ConA administartion. In histological investigation, at the time point of 48 h from ConA administration in mice treated with PLB spotty necrosis accompanying inflammatory cell infiltration was not observed. ESR signals of MetHb, xanthine oxidase (XO) and other indicators of the generation of free radicals in the liver tissue were significantly lower in mice treated with PLB compared with controls, while nitric oxide level was kept in high index. The latter protects hepatocytes from apoptotic death. These results suggest that ConA induced hepatitis was ameliorated by treatment with PLB. With regard to the effects of PLB, we speculate that mechanism of PLB influence on immune-mediated tissue injury depends on the inhibition of the inflammatory cytokines production as well as the generation of free radicals.

Keywords:   ConA induced hepatitis, oxidative stress, plaferon LB