Figure 1

Effect of treatment with saline or ethyl pyruvate on serum transaminases (ALT/AST) in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) model. (A, B) ALI was induced in C57Bl/6 male mice with a single dose of APAP (350 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Two hours after APAP injection, the animals were treated with 0.5 mL of saline or 0.5 mL of ethyl pyruvate (40 mg/kg) every 8 hours. ALT and AST were measured 24 hours after APAP injection (n = 6 survival mice for each group). (C, D) Three separate groups of mice were used. ALI model and treatments were the same as in (A) and (B) except the treatment was extended to 48 hours. ALT and AST were measured at 48 hours after APAP injection (n = 6 survival mice for each group). (E, F) Three separate groups of mice were used. ALI model and treatments were the same as in (C) and (D) except there was no further treatment for the 24- to 48-hour time point. ALT and AST were measured at 48 hours after APAP injection (n = 6 survival mice for each group). (G, H) Three separate groups of mice were used. ALI model and treatments were the same as in (C) and (D) except the treatment was given only for the 24-hour to 48-hour time point. ALT and AST were measured at 48 hours after APAP injection (n = 6 survival mice for each group). Results are presented as mean ± standard error of the mean. *P < 0.05 versus control; †P < 0.05 versus saline. ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase.