Abstract

Background: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) represents a major global health burden, encompassing a spectrum of hepatic abnormalities ranging from steatosis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Laennec, a human placenta-derived hydrolysate, was evaluated for its therapeutic effects on alcohol-induced fatty liver in an experimental animal model. Methods: Animals were pretreated with alcohol for 2 weeks, followed by the co-administration of alcohol and Laennec for 4 weeks. The study included four groups: normal control, alcohol-only, and low- and high-dose Laennec-treated groups. Results: Alcohol administration significantly elevated the serum ALT levels (3.17-fold vs. control), indicating hepatocellular injury, whereas Laennec treatment reduced the ALT levels in a dose-dependent manner. The AST levels increased in the alcohol-only group, although the change was not statistically significant; however, the AST levels decreased in the low-dose Laennec-treated groups. The AST/ALT ratio showed significantly dose-dependent recovery in the high-dose group. Laennec treatment attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation, with the most pronounced effects observed in the high-dose group. Regarding alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, Laennec exhibited an inhibitory effect on alcohol-induced ADH activity, with no significant effect on ALDH. CYP2E1 activity was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner following Laennec administration. No significant changes were observed in the GPx activity. Additionally, high-dose Laennec significantly restored the catalase and STAT3 (Ser727) phosphorylation levels. Histopathological analysis (H&E staining) demonstrated marked reductions in lipid droplet accumulation and inflammatory cell infiltration in Laennec-treated groups compared to the alcohol-only group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Laennec exerts hepatoprotective effects against alcohol-induced liver injury and steatosis, as evidenced by improvements in biochemical markers, enzyme activity, and histological features.

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