Abstract:

Objective: The protective effect of refined polysaccharides from Termitomyces albuminosus (RPTA) on acute
alcoholic hepatic injury in mice was investigated by electron microscopic examination and real-time PCR. Methods: The
mice were randomly divided into blank control group, alcoholic control model group, bifendate (150 mg/(kg·d)) group and
RPTA (100, 200 and 400 mg/(kg·d)) groups. All the mice were administered with 50% alcohol (12 mL/kg) for 30 days
except for those in blank control group. Twelve hours after alcohol treatment, all mice were executed to assay changes
of hepatic ultrastructure, while the mRNA expression of ADH2 and ALDH2 in mice were analyzed by real-time PCR.
Results: Comparing with the blank control group, we found that in the alcoholic model group there were accumulations
of lipid droplets and glycogen and irregular nuclear membranes. Meanwhile, duplicative mitochondria were found injured
and indistinct, and the endoplasmic reticulum was expanded as well as the ribosomes were dropped off. In contrast, in the
RPTA treatment groups, the cardinal symptom gradually became better. Compared with the blank control group, the mRNA
expression of ADH2 and ALDH2 in the model group revealed an obvious decrease, but in the RPTA treatment groups
showed an increasing trend. Conclusion: RPTA plays an important role in protecting liver cells by promoting the mRNA
expression of ADH2 and ALDH2.

Key words: Termitomyces albuminosus polysaccharidese, alcoholic hepatic injury, ultrastructure, alcohol dehydrogenase 2, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, mRNA