ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the protective effects of shark hepatic stimulator substance (sHSS) against acute hepatic injury induced by acetaminophen (AAP) in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Acute hepatic injury model of Balb/c mice was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of AAP (200 mg.kg-1, i.p.). Serum ALT and AST activities were analyzed. The changes of microstructure and ultrastructure of hepatocyte were observed under optical and electronic microscope. The hepatocyte apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometer and the expression level of Fas mRNA was determined by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly decreased and both necrosis and inflammatory infiltration were improved in the mice treated with sHSS 3.0 and 1.5 mg.kg-1. sHSS (3.0 mg.kg-1) prevented the ultrastructural changes of hepatocytes caused by AAP, decreased the percentage of apoptotic cells, and downregulated the expression level of Fas mRNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>sHSS protected hepatocytes from AAP-induced injury, which might be associated with its protection of the mitochondria and inhibition of apoptosis and expression of Fas mRNA in hepatocytes.</p>