Activation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) during d-galactosamine intoxication in the rat liver

A significant increase in plasma glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase was observed 6 h after intraperitoneal administration of d-galactosamine (d-Galn). Three hours after administration of d-Galn, the vitamin C concentration in the liver decreased significantly compared to that in a control group and thereafter the hepatic vitamin C concentration remained at a significantly lower level. Phosphorylated JNK (c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase) and phosphorylated ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) started increasing 3 h after d-Galn treatment and remained at a high level for 6–12 h after the treatment, while phosphorylated p38 MAPK increased significantly 6 h after d-Galn administration. These results indicated that oxidative stress and the activation of JNK and ERK took place almost simultaneously, followed by the activation of p38 MAPK.

Graphical abstractOxidative stress and the activation of JNK and ERK took place almost simultaneously in the rat liver by intraperitoneal administration of d-galactosamine, followed by the activation of p38 MAPK.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide