Effect of freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) extract on liver function in rats

Abstract

Freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) is consumed as a food stuff that promotes liver health in Taiwan, but scientific evidence for this effect is scarce. In this study, we investigated the effects of freshwater clam extract (FCE) on D-galactosamine-induced liver injury and ethanol-induced acute alcoholic fatty liver in rats. In liver injury induced by D-galactosamine, increased activities of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were significantly suppressed by FCE. However, in alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by acute administration of ethanol, liver lipids tended to be reduced by FCE. Hepatic cholesterol concentration was significantly decreased. In addition, we investigated the effect of FCE on ethanol metabolism in rats acutely administered ethanol. Blood ethanol clearance rate was significantly enhanced by FCE. These results suggest that FCE has protective effects on liver injury and fatty liver, and an accelerative effect on alcohol metabolism.