The liver is one of the most important organs in the organism of dogs and cats, with a wide range of physiological functions, the main excretion, the main blood, the main tendon, and the opening of the orifices in the eyes, the blood, the tendons and bones, the spleen and stomach, the spirit, the eyes, etc. None of them are closely related to the physiological function of the liver, so liver diseases in dogs and cats are very common, and the damage and harm to the organism of dogs and cats are immeasurable.

SAMe and its origin 

SAMe, or S-adenosylmethionine, is an important metabolic intermediate widely found in animals, plants, and microorganisms, and was first discovered by the scientist Cantoni in 1952.It is synthesised from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and methionine in the cell by methionine adenosyltransferase catalysis, and loses a methyl group when participating in the methyltransfer reaction as a coenzyme to become S-adenosylhomo cysteine. Most of the SAMe is produced in the liver.

SAMe is an important physiologically active substance in the organism and is essential for normal cell function and survival. In the animal body, more than 40 anabolic or catabolic chemical reactions involve the transfer of the methyl group of SAMe to substrates such as nucleic acids, proteins, and fats, etc. SAMe is the most active of all the methyl donors, and is as important to the body as adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Studies have shown that SAMe has the ability to improve problems such as depression, liver disease, arthritis and joint pain.

The role of SAMe in liver disease

The liver is a very important metabolic and detoxification organ. Liver cells are highly susceptible to chemicals, accumulated metabolites, and viral infections, which can lead to hepatocellular damage that can transform into cirrhosis or liver cancer.

The liver is the primary site of SAMe synthesis and methylation, and if the liver is damaged, SAMe synthesis is blocked in patients with liver disease, and protein and nucleic acid synthesis, polyamine and cysteine supply are limited. Cysteine is an important hepatoprotective agent and precursor for glutathione synthesis.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that injections and oral administration of SAMe can effectively increase the levels of glutathione in the blood and liver tissues, thereby improving liver detoxification, which can reduce or even eliminate liver injury [1].

SAMe is efficacious in cholestasis, alcohol-induced liver injury including cirrhosis and a number of other hepatic dysfunctions, and is particularly clinically effective in cirrhosis, significantly reducing its mortality rate [2].

In pets, some studies have confirmed that SAMe can effectively improve the body's antioxidant capacity in cat poisoning and timely remove metabolic toxins, in order to reduce hepatocellular damage and maintain hepatocellular function [3].

SAMe plays an important role in reducing hepatocyte injury, hepatocyte regeneration and differentiation, and improving hepatocyte function, and has a favourable safety profile.

SAMe combined with silymarin

Silymarin is a familiar substance, consisting of a variety of flavonolipids and a flavonoid, of which silymarin is the most dominant and has an important biological role, accounting for about 70 per cent of the total composition of silymarin. Silymarin has obvious effect of protecting and stabilising liver cell membrane, which can improve liver function and produce enzyme-lowering effect, and it is not easy for enzyme rebound to occur.

SAMe  &  Silymarin

· SAMe and silymarin are powerful antioxidants, protecting liver cells from free radical damage, trapping free radicals far more effectively than vitamin E, and strengthening the liver's detoxification function;

· Anti-tumour effects: Various reactive oxygen species can oxidise guanine to form 8-antelope guanine, which causes DNA damage and hence tumours, a process that can be prevented by using SAMe and silymarin as antioxidants;

· Prevents cirrhosis and hepatitis, improves bile flow, promotes digestion and absorption of intestinal nutrients;

· Promotes protein synthesis, speeds up the production of new liver cells, or causes already damaged liver cells to repair themselves, and raises glutathione levels;

Cases

Information on sick animals:

Dodo, a 15-year-old field spaniel with a history of right heart failure.

Started vomiting on 28th Feb, not eating, not drinking, vomiting right after drinking water, vomiting 4 times, no bowel movement, can urinate, shivering. Usually fed homemade rice and dog food.

He was seen on 29 February with a temperature of 39.2°C, a grade 4 heart murmur, severe dental calculus, sunken eyes, conjunctival congestion, blood tests suggesting severe infection, and a burst of liver indicators of liver damage.

Examination report (before diagnosis):

Routine blood test

Biochemistry：

Diagnostic results:liver failure, gastroenteritis.

Treatment:

From 29 February to 5 March, for a total of 6 days, he was treated with a symptomatic infusion of glutathione and other drugs in the first period, and from 3 March he was treated with an oral hepatoprotective agent (containing silymarin phosphatidylcholine complex and SAMe) in conjunction with the infusion of fluids.

Review results:

2024.3.5 Review indicators, body temperature 38.2 ℃ mental appetite state is still OK, no bowel movement, no vomiting, can urinate. Leukocyte 48.28 decreased to 30.47, neutrophil 37.56 decreased to 21.59. ALT decreased from >3000 to about 8 times, ALB, TBIL back to normal.

Examination report (after treatment):

Routine blood test

SAMe, as a natural substance present in the organism, has no side effects and has the advantages of fast effect, non-addictive, no adverse reactions as well as good tolerance. In liver disease and silymarin are both effective ingredients in maintaining liver health in dogs and cats, and the combination of the two has been shown to improve liver damage in pets even more dramatically, while supplementing the liver with needed nutrients.

reference：

[1] Wu D, Cederbaum AI. Opposite action of S-adenosyl methionine and its metabolites on CYP2E1-mediated toxicity in pyrazole-induced rat hepatocytes and HepG2 E47 cells. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2006 Apr;290(4):G674-84. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00406.2005. Epub 2005 Nov 23. PMID: 16306132.

[2] YU Zhiliang,YANG Sheng,CAI Zhuan,YUAN Zhongyi.Progress of S-adenosylmethanethionine[J]. Chinese Journal of Pharmaceutical Industry,2003,34(1):49-52

[3] LIU Fang, XIA Zhaofei, PAN Dandan, WANG Jiangwei, CAO Yan, MA Jinlei. Mechanism of action of adenosylmethionine in the treatment of acetaminophen liver injury in cats[J]. Chinese Veterinary Journal,2008,44(7):35-37