Περίληψη:
Aims/Background: Hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) is a liver-specific
growth factor implicated in hepatocellular proliferation and
hepatoprotection in models of acute liver injury. In the present study,
we examined the effect of exogenous HSS administration on liver
proliferating capacity and survival outcome in an experimental animal
model of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and encephalopathy, induced by
repeated injections of thioacetamide (TAA) in rats. Methods: Fulminant
hepatic failure was induced in adult male Wistar rats by three
consecutive intraperitoneal injections of TAA (400 mg/kg of body
weight), at 24 h time intervals. The animals received intraperitoneally
either a saline solution or HSS (50 mg protein/kg of body weight), 2 h
after the second and third TAA injections. The animals were killed at 6,
12 and 18 h post the last injection of TAA. Results: Levels of liver
enzymes and urea in serum, blood ammonia values, liver histology, stage
of hepatic encephalopathy and survival were statistically significantly
improved in TAA-intoxicated and HSS-treated rats compared to
TAA-intoxicated and saline-treated ones. Furthermore, HSS ameliorated
liver regenerative indices-DNA biosynthesis, thymidine kinase activity
and hepatocyte mitotic activity-in a statistically significant manner.
Conclusions: Our data suggest the beneficial effect of HSS
administration in this animal model of FHF and encephalopathy,
supporting evidence for a possible use of HSS as supportive therapy, by
increasing hepatocellular proliferation, in management of FHF.
Συγγραφείς:
Margeli, AP
Papadimitriou, L
Ninos, S
Manolis, E and
Mykoniatis, MG
Theocharis, SE
