A surgical model of fulminant hepatic failure in rabbits.

Abstract

AIM:

Animal models of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) have been developed for characterization of disease progression and to evaluate the effectiveness of liver-assist devices, some by treatment with hepatotoxic drugs, viral hepatitis or surgical procedures. We have developed a model in the rabbit by combining resection of the three anterior lobes with ligation of the pedicle of the right lateral lobes, resulting in liver necrosis; the remnant quadrate lobes are left intact.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Adult male New Zealand white rabbits (n=16) were used. Six animals were killed to measure the weight of the separate liver lobes. The others (n=10) underwent left neck central line placement to monitor continuous blood pressure and collect blood for laboratory analysis, and a burr hole on the right parietal bone to monitor the intracranial pressure (ICP). Blood laboratory analysis, clinical hepatic encephalopathy and ICP levels were measured in FHF animals (n=6). Animals (n=4) undergoing a sham operation served as controls.

RESULTS:

All FHF animals died between 12 and 26 h after liver surgery from FHF characterized by a progressive increase in liver enzymes, ammonia, total bilirubin, coagulopathy, hepatic encephalopathy and intracranial hypertension. Histological features of the ischaemic lobes showed coagulative necrosis of hepatocytes with absence of nuclei and collapse of cell plates. Brain histology revealed hypoxic cell damage.

CONCLUSION:

We have developed a simple, reproducible model of FHF in rabbits that has a number of features comparable with clinical FHF patients and is well suited for testing experimental bioartificial liver systems and investigating the pathogenesis of FHF.

• Authors: Kuo-Chen Hung, Chee-Chien Yong, Yaw-Sen Chen, Hock-Liew Eng, Fang-Ying Kuo, Chi-Chang Lin, Tai-Horng Young, Eiji Kobayashi, Chao-Long Chen, Chih-Chi Wang
• Journal: Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver (Liver Int) Vol. 27 Issue 10 Pg. 1333-41 (Dec 2007) ISSN: 1478-3223 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18036098 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Animals
• Disease Models, Animal
• Disease Progression
• Hepatectomy (methods)
• Hepatic Encephalopathy (pathology, physiopathology, therapy)
• Intracranial Pressure
• Liver Failure, Acute (pathology, physiopathology, therapy)
• Male
• Necrosis
• Organ Size
• Rabbits