In vivo protective effects of s-allyl cysteine (SAC) and s-propyl cysteine (SPC) against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in Balb/cA mice were studied. SAC and SPC at 1 g/L were added into drinking water for four weeks and followed by acetaminophen treatment. Acetaminophen treatment significantly depleted glutathione content, increased oxidation stress and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities (P < 0.05); however, the intake of SAC or SPC significantly alleviated glutathione depletion and the elevation of ALT and AST, enhanced glutathione peroxidase activity, and lowered malondialdehyde formation (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), von Willebrand factor (vWF), IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha were significantly increased by acetaminophen treatment (P < 0.05); and SAC or SPC intake significantly suppressed acetaminophen-induced elevation of CRP, vWF and the three cytokines (P < 0.05). Acetaminophen treatment also significantly increased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity and plasma fibrinogen level, and decreased antithrombin III (AT-III) and protein C activities (P < 0.05). SAC or SPC intake alleviated AT-III and protein C reduction (P < 0.05); but did not affect PAI-1 activity and plasma fibrinogen level (P > 0.05). These data suggest that SAC and SPC are potential multiple-protective agents against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.
