Genistein protection against acetaminophen-induced liver injury via its potential impact on the activation of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and antioxidant enzymes

The purpose of this study was to investigate genistein’s influence on the relationship between the activation of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGTs) and the protection against acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity. Animal experimental results revealed that genistein (50, 100 or 200 mg/BWkg) significantly ameliorated the biomarkers alanine aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde, as indicators of acute liver damage caused by APAP (200 mg/BWkg). The level of GSH declined sharply after treatment with APAP within 1 h in both the liver and blood with and without genistein. However, after 16 h, the levels approached or returned to the original level. Genistein may accelerate and promote APAP glucuronidation as the results showed that APAP-glucuronide increased by 18.44%, 46.79%, and 66.49% for 4 h of treatment with genistein dosages of 50, 100 or 200 mg/BWkg, respectively, compared with the APAP-only treatment. The activation of UGTs and glutathione peroxidase and the inhibition of CYP2E1 by genistein were observed, and UGTs mRNA expression level with genistein was measured. These findings suggest that genistein can prevent and protect against APAP-induced liver toxicity due to the inhibition of APAP biotransformation and the resistance to oxidative stress via the modulation of the activities of metabolism and the antioxidant enzyme.