INFLUENCE OF CLOUDY APPLE JUICE ON N-NITROSODIETHYLAMINE- INDUCED LIVER INJURY AND PHASES I AND II BIOTRANSFORMATION ENZYMES IN RAT LIVER.

Cloudy apple juice (CAJ) is a rich source of nutrients as well as non-nutrient components including high quantity of polyphenols, particularly oligomeric procyanidins, which are considered as potential chemo- preventive agents that protect against the action of chemical carcinogens. The aim of this study was to exam- ine the effect of CAJ alone or in combination with hepatocarcinogenic N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) on liver damage biomarkers, including DNA damage, and the phase I and II enzymes in rat. The forced feeding with CAJ alone for 28 days, has slightly reduced the activities of phase I enzymes, MROD (CYP1A2 biomarker) and PNPH (CYP2E1 biomarker), while phase II enzymes, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1), were elevated. Combined treatment of rats with CAJ and NDEA significantly reduced the levels of hepatic ALT and SDH (by ~100%) as compared to values from NDEA-treated animals. CAJ pretreatment further increased the PROD (CYP2B biomarker) and NQO1 activities increased by NDEA administration. Modulation of enzymes activities was accompanied by the changes in the proteins levels. These results indicate that CAJ may protect liver against damage induced by NDEA. Moreover, a significant decrease of SDH activity by CAJ may confirm its potential anti-diabetic activity.