Animal models of acute-on-chronic liver failure in rabbits

Abstract

Objective To establish an ideal animal model of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in New Zealand white rabbits in order to provide a large animal model for further researches.Methods Totally 75 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group (n =70) and control group (n = 5 ). Rabbits in the experimental group were injected with CCl4 into the abdominal cavity twice every week and the doses of CCl4 were modified according to the index of liver function and the body weight, whereas those in the control group were treated with the same volume of saline. At the 10th week,48 New Zealand rabbits with hepatic fibrosis were randomly assigned to 4 groups and injected with CCl4 as before, D-Gal at a dose of 0. 65 g/kg body weight (BW), 0. 70 g/kg BW and 0. 75 g/kg BW, respectively. By observing and comparing the general state, survival time, biochemical indexes, and the histopathology, a method of establishing a stable animal model of acute hepatic failure was found. Results As compared with those in control group, the levels of ALT, AST, GGT, HA, LN and PC-Ⅲ in the experiment group were increased significantly, while the level of ALB was decreased at the end of 10 weeks. Typical features of hepatic fibrosis and the formation of pseudo-lobules were observed at the end of 10 weeks. After treatment with D-Gal, all rabbits in group Ⅰ survived with minimal changes in liver function tests. In group Ⅱ , there was a temporary hepatic injury, but no hepatic coma. Four of the 12 rabbits died (33. 3% ). In group Ⅲ , biochemical indexes changed obviously 12 h after the administration and hepatic injury reached its peak after 48 h. Ten of 12 rabbits were died of severe hepatic failure with a survival time of ( 53. 00 ± 25. 69) h. Histology of liver section revealed massive necrosis in nodules. In group Ⅳ , hepatic injury occurred early and severely. All the rabbits died of severe hepatic failure with a survival time of (32. 70 ± 17. 46) h. Conclusion The experimental model of ACLF could be established by injected with D-Gal in New Zealand rabbits with hepatic fibrosis, induced by CCl4 intraperitoneal injection for 10 weeks.The one induced by 0. 70 g/kg of D-galactosamine was more stable and showed similar clinical pathophysiological changes in human beings. So it can be a good experimental platform for studies of ACLF. Key words: Liver failure; Liver cirrhosis; Model, animal