Partial Portal Vein Ligation Plus Thioacetamide: A Method to Obtain a New Model of Cirrhosis and Chronic Portal Hypertension in the Rat

To obtain a new model of chronic portal hypertension in the rat, two classical methods to produce portal hypertension, partial portal vein ligation and the oral administration of thioacetamide (TAA), have been combined. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: 1 (control; n?=?10), 2 [triple partial portal vein ligation (TPVL); n?=?9], 3 (TAA; n?=?11), and 4 (TPVL plus TAA; n?=?9). After 3 months, portal pressure, types of portosystemic collateral circulation, laboratory hepatic function tests (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) and liver histology were studied. The animals belonging to group 2 (TPVL) developed extrahepatic portosystemic collateral circulation, associated with mesenteric venous vasculopathy without hepatic destructurization or portal hypertension. Animals from group 3 (TAA) developed cirrhosis and portal hypertension but not extrahepatic portosystemic collateral circulation, or mesenteric venous vasculopathy. Finally, the animals from group 4 (TPVL?+?TAA) developed cirrhosis, portal hypertension, portosystemic collateral circulation, and mesenteric venous vasculopathy. The association of TPVL and TAA can be used to obtain a model of chronic portal hypertension in the rat that includes all the alterations that patients with hepatic cirrhosis usually have. This could, therefore, prove to be a useful tool to study the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in these alterations.     

Investigations into the effects of various hepatotoxic compounds on urinary and liver taurine levels in rats

The effect of various hepatotoxicants on urinary taurine and urinary creatine has been studied in the rat. Several hepatotoxic agents, carbon tetrachloride, thioacetamide, galactosamine and allyl alcohol which all caused hepatic necrosis (sometimes accompanied by steatosis), resulted in a rise in urinary taurine and in some cases creatine, when administered to rats. Ethionine and hydrazine also raised urinary taurine but caused only steatosis and did not raise urinary creatine. Therefore urinary taurine and possibly creatine may be useful markers of liver injury and dysfunction. Liver taurine levels were also affected by some of the hepatotoxicants but in those cases where there was a rise in urinary taurine this could not be accounted for by the loss in liver taurine. It is suggested that the increase in urinary taurine is partly due to changes in protein synthesis and hence in sulphur amino acid metabolism caused by hepatotoxic agents. However, bromobenzene did not increase urinary taurine and-naphthylisothiocyanate and lithocholate caused reduced levels. It is suggested that this lack of increase in urinary taurine may be due to depletion of glutathione or interference with the biliary system.     

丹参注射液对肝性脑病的的防治作用及机制研究

目的：探讨丹参注射液对肝性脑病（hepatic encephalopathy,HE）的防治作用及其作用的初步机制。方法：通过急性氨中毒动物模型和四氯化碳（CCl4）致肝损伤合并硫代乙酰胺（TAA）诱导髙血氨的大鼠肝性脑病模型,对氨中毒死亡时相、血氨、脑氨水平、肝脏功能以及肝脏病理组织学改变等指标进行了评价。结果：在急性氨中毒实验中,丹参注射液能使急性氨中毒小鼠存活时间明显延长;在CCL4和TAA诱导的肝性脑病大鼠模型中,丹参注射液能明显降低肝性脑病大鼠血氨和脑氨水平,并可在一定程度上降低肝性脑病大鼠血清ALT、AST、ALP、总胆红素（Tbil）含量,改善肝功能,从而防治肝性脑病。结论：丹参注射液对肝性脑病有较好的防治作用,可能与降低血氨和脑氨水平有关。     

Effects of fulminant hepatic encephalopathy on the adult rat brain antioxidant status and the activities of acetylcholinesterase, (Na+,K+)- and Mg2+-ATPase: comparison of the enzymes’ response to in vitro treatment with ammonia

Hepatic encephalopathy can be a life-threatening complication of fulminant hepatic failure. By understanding the pathophysiology involved in the induction of this neuropsychiatric disorder, future therapeutic and/or preventive attempts could be considered. In this study, an attempt has been made in order to shed more light on the mechanisms involved in the effects of thioacetamide (TAA)-induced fulminant hepatic encephalopathy on: (a) the adult rat brain total antioxidant status (TAS) and (b) the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), (Na(+),K(+))-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase. Moreover, in vitro experiments were conducted in order to evaluate the possible role of ammonia (incubated as NH(4)Cl, in a toxic concentration of 3mM) in the observed effects of TAA-induced fulminant hepatic encephalopathy on the examined adult rat brain enzyme activities. Fulminant hepatic encephalopathy caused a significant decrease in TAS (-22%, p < 0.001) and the activity of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase (-26%, p < 0.001), but had non-significant effects on the whole brain AChE and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities. The in vitro experiments (conducted through a 3h incubation with ammonia), showed no significant alterations in any of the examined parameters. Our in vitro and in vivo findings suggest that alterations in AChE and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities are not involved in the pathophysiology of the adult-onset fulminant hepatic encephalopathy, while the observed Na(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibition could be a result of the oxidative stress, neurotransmission deregulation, and/or of the presence of other toxic substances (that appear to act as direct or indirect inhibitors of the enzyme) and not due to the excess accumulation of ammonia in the brain.     

大黄对硫代乙酰胺致急性肝衰竭大鼠IL-6及c-met蛋白的表达影响

目的:观察大黄对试验性急性肝衰竭大鼠IL-6及c-met蛋白的表达影响。方法:皮下注射硫代乙酰胺(TAA)600mg/kg体重,2次,间隔24h,造成大鼠急性肝衰竭模型,用大黄干预处理。结果:大黄可以使急性肝衰竭大鼠IL-6水平明显降低,c-met蛋白表达增强,改善肝组织病变。结论:大黄减轻TAA致急性肝衰竭大鼠的机理可能与其降低IL-6并增加c-met蛋白表达有关。     

Disrupted G1 to S phase clearance via cyclin signaling impairs liver tissue repair in thioacetamide-treated type 1 diabetic rats

Previously we reported that a nonlethal dose of thioacetamide (TA, 300 mg/kg) causes 90% mortality in type 1 diabetic (DB) rats because of irreversible acute liver injury owing to inhibited hepatic tissue repair, primarily due to blockage of G(0) to S phase progression of cell division cycle. On the other hand, DB rats receiving 30 mg TA/kg exhibited equal initial liver injury and delayed tissue repair compared to nondiabetic (NDB) rats receiving 300 mg TA/kg, resulting in a delay in recovery from liver injury and survival. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that impaired cyclin-regulated progression of G(1) to S phase of the cell cycle may explain inhibited liver tissue repair, hepatic failure, and death, contrasted with delayed liver tissue repair but survival observed in the DB rats receiving 300 in contrast to 30 mg TA/kg. In the TA-treated NDB rats sustained MAPKs and cyclin expression resulted in higher phosphorylation of retinoblastoma (pRb), explaining prompt tissue repair and survival. In contrast, DB rats receiving the same dose of TA (300 mg/kg) exhibited suppressed MAPKs and cyclin expression that led to inhibition of pRb, inhibited tissue repair, and death. On the other hand, DB rats receiving 30 mg TA/kg exhibited delayed up regulation of MAPK signaling that delayed the expression of CD1 and pRb, explaining delayed stimulation of tissue repair observed in this group. In conclusion, the hepatotoxicant TA has a dose-dependent adverse effect on cyclin-regulated pRb signaling: the lower dose causes a recoverable delay, whereas the higher dose inhibits it with corresponding effect on the ultimate outcomes on hepatic tissue repair; this dose-dependent adverse effect is substantially shifted to the left of the dose response curve in diabetes.     

Microwave-assisted conditions for the green synthesis of thioacetamide. Optimization of reaction parameters using response surface methodology

An optimized method for the synthesis of thioacetamide (TA) in relation to the consumption of materials and energy, which reduces the production of waste and minimizes costs, is hitherto presented. The most important highlight of this work is the use of an inexpensive and readily accessible reactant for the thionation process (i.e. phosphorus pentasulfide, P₄S₁₀), combined with both alumina as solid support and a non-conventional microwave (MW) irradiation technique. In addition to this, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the entire procedure of the synthesis for simultaneous tripled-maximization of Yield (ε), Mass Intensity (MI) and Mass Productivity (MP). Acetamide (AC)/P₄S₁₀ molar ratio, time and temperature of reaction were chosen as independent variables; while ε, MI and MP were chosen as responses. The determination of these green metrics parameters allow to evaluate the sustainability of the reaction and compare with other methodologies. A quadratic regression model was derived with satisfactory prediction. Tripled optimization with desirability function predicts a maximum ε of 100%, maximum MI of 29.00 kg/kg and a maximum MP of 3.45% under the following experimental conditions: AC/P₄S₁₀ molar ratio of 2.10, time of irradiation of 14 min and a temperature 140 °C.     

Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea L. and stem bark of Tecomella undulata

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea (L.) pers. (Fabaceae) and stem bark of Tecomella undulata seem. (Bignoniaceae) are used for liver disorders in the traditional system of medicine.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea and stem bark of Tecomella undulata against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity.

Materials and methods

Hepatotoxicity was induced in albino rats of either sex by subcutaneous injection of thioacetamide. Aqueous–ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea (100, 300 and 500 mg/kg/day and ethanolic extract of stem bark of Tecomella undulata (200, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day were evaluated.

Results

Oral administration of Tephrosia purpurea at 500 mg/kg and Tecomella undulata at 1000 mg/kg resulted in a significant reduction in serum aspartate aminotransaminase (35% and 31%, respectively), alanine aminotransaminase (50% and 42%, respectively), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (56% and 49%, respectively), alkaline phosphatase (46% and 37%, respectively), total bilirubin (61% and 48%, respectively) and liver MDA levels (65% and 50%, respectively), and significant improvement in liver glutathione (73% and 68%, respectively) when compared with thioacetamide damaged rats. Histology of the liver sections of the animals treated with the extracts also showed dose-dependent reduction of necrosis.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates the hepatoprotective activity of the aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea and stem bark of Tecomella undulata against thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Co-administration of C-Phycocyanin ameliorates thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy in Wistar rats

Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a condition with a sudden onset of necrosis followed by degeneration of hepatocytes, without any previously established liver disease, generally occurring within hours or days. FHF is associated with a wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric alterations ranging from stupor to coma, culminating in death. In the present study FHF was induced in rats by the administration of thioacetamide (TAA). Oxidative stress is thought to play a prominent role in the pathophysiology of cerebral changes during FHF leading to the assumption that antioxidants might offer protection. Hence, in the present study the protective effect of C-Phycocyanin (C-PC), a natural antioxidant, was evaluated on TAA-induced tissue damage. C-Phycocyanin was administered intraperitoneally twice at 24 h interval (50 mg/kg body weight) along with the hepatotoxin TAA (300 mg/kg body weight). The animals were sacrificed 18 h after the second injection of TAA treatment and various biochemical parameters were analysed in liver, serum and brain tissues. These studies revealed significant prevention of TAA-induced liver damage by C-PC, as evidenced by a) increase in survival rate; b) the prevention of leakage of liver enzymes (AAT and AST) and ammonia into serum; c) increase in prothrombin time and d) liver histopathology. Ultrastructural studies of astrocytes of different regions of brain clearly showed a decrease in edema after C-PC treatment. TAA-induced histopathological lesions in different regions of the brain namely cerebral cortex, cerebellum and pons medulla were significantly reduced by the co-administration of C-PC with TAA. Further C-PC treatment resulted in a) decrease in the levels of tryptophan and markers of lipid peroxidation and b) elevation in the activity levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase in different regions of brain. These studies reveal the potential of C-PC in ameliorating TAA-induced hepatic encephalopathy by improving antioxidant defenses.