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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 21, 2010; 16(11): 1366-1376
Published online Mar 21, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i11.1366
Published online Mar 21, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i11.1366
Hepatoprotective effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine against alcohol- and cytochrome P450 2E1-induced liver injury
Arthur I Cederbaum, Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics, Box 1603, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, United States
Author contributions: Cederbaum AI wrote the manuscript.
Supported by NIH/NIAAA Grants No. AA017425 and No. AA018790
Correspondence to: Arthur I Cederbaum, Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics, Box 1603, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, United States. arthur.cederbaum@mssm.edu
Telephone: +1-212-2417285 Fax: +1-212-9967214
Received: December 10, 2009
Revised: January 27, 2010
Accepted: February 3, 2010
Published online: March 21, 2010
Revised: January 27, 2010
Accepted: February 3, 2010
Published online: March 21, 2010
Abstract
S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) acts as a methyl donor for methylation reactions and participates in the synthesis of glutathione. SAM is also a key metabolite that regulates hepatocyte growth, differentiation and death. Hepatic SAM levels are decreased in animal models of alcohol liver injury and in patients with alcohol liver disease or viral cirrhosis. This review describes the protection by SAM against alcohol and cytochrome P450 2E1-dependent cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo and evaluates mechanisms for this protection.