Effects of nanogold on the alleviation of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in rats.

Gold particles have been used in complementary medicine for decades, and many beneficial effects have been reported. Our present study sought to evaluate the therapeutic effects of nanogold in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-injured liver of rats. Male SD rats were subjected to liver injury induction by CCl₄, then the rats were fed with zero to high dose (0, 1, 5 or 10 ppm) of nanogold water every day for 4 weeks. Biochemical analyses on liver functions were then performed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of nanogold. Our results revealed that gold nanoparticles lowered serum aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase and exerted serum total protein-recovering effects, which might be partially associated with the elevation of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 level. In addition, serum triglyceride level fell after continuous ingestion of nanogold. Finally, the experimental animals recovered body weight after 4 weeks of nanogold ingestion. This is the first report indicating inflammation alleviating effects of nanogold on hepatic injury.