Abstract |
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ( VEGF) is an endothelial cell mitogen and an important stimulator of sinusoidal endothelial cell proliferation. The aim of this research was to study the effects of exogenous VEGF in a rat model of acute liver failure. The study was conducted on 64 rats (240-300 g). All rats underwent intraperitoneal injection (5 ml/kg) of 25% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and 75% paraffin oil. This dosage of CCl4 was devised to induce nonfatal acute liver failure with spontaneous recovery in 7 days. The animals were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group B animals underwent i.v. injection of 200 ng of VEGF165 one hour following intra-peritoneal injection of CCl4. To obtain daily liver functional tests (LFTS) and histological liver samples, 4 rats in each group were sacrificed daily up to 8 days. In group A, the liver histology showed massive periportal hepatocyte necrosis associated with portal lymphocytic infiltrates. The peak of the damage was documented at 72 hours following CCl4. Group B showed minimal necrosis, moderate periportal edema and a minimum periportal steatosis. At 48 hours steatotic changes had disappeared and the periportal edema was resolving. LFTs demonstrated severe liver damage in rats in group A. In group A the peak AST (mean 322.5 IU/L) and ALT (mean 250.25 IU/L) were recorded at 72 hours. In group B, at 72 hours the mean AST was 137 IU/L (normal < 95 IU/L) and ALT 68 IU/L(normal < 45 IU/L). The maximum levels of AST and ALT, in group B, were 152.3 IU/L and 72.3 IU/L, at 24 hours. According to our results exogenous VEGF successfully protects the liver from CCl4 induced acute liver failure. Further studies will demonstrate if exogenous VEGF can be effective in other liver injuries.
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Authors | G Marino, E Piazzese, S Gruttadauria, G Nicotra, M Guarnaccia, G Emmanuele, E Di Francesco, S Travali, G Bartoloni, A Messina, C Famulari, G Gruttadauria |
Journal | Il Giornale di chirurgia
(G Chir)
Vol. 25
Issue 3
Pg. 61-4
(Mar 2004)
ISSN: 0391-9005 [Print] Italy |
Vernacular Title | Utilizzo innovativo del fattore di permeabilità vascolare in un modello sperimentale di insufficienza epatica acuta. |
PMID | 15219100
(Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Topics |
- Animals
- Liver Failure, Acute
(drug therapy)
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
(therapeutic use)
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