Thioredoxin prevents thioacetamide-induced acute hepatitis

Introduction Thioredoxin (Trx) is an endogenous multifunctional protein with a redox-active disulfide/dithiol within the conserved active site sequence: -Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys[1]. Trx is also a stress-inducible protein whose expression is enhanced by various types of stresses, e.g., viral infection, exposure to UV light, x-ray irradiation, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) [2]. Furthermore, Trx is a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and recombinant Trx has protective activity against ROS-mediated cytotoxicity [3]. We have previously reported that Trx attenuates an ischemic brain damage by scavenging radicals [4].