A new experimental model for acute hepatic failure in rats.

PURPOSE To develop a reliable surgical model of acute hepatic failure and hyperammonemia in rats that avoids porto-systemic shunt and bile duct ligation, applicable to hepatic encephalopathy research. METHODS The pedicles of right lateral and caudate lobes were exposed and clamped. One hour later, the animal was reopened, clamps were released and anterior subtotal hepatectomy (resection of median and left lateral lobes) was performed, comprising 75% of liver removal. Four hours after hepatectomy, blood samples and liver tissues were collected from ALF and control groups. RESULTS Differences between ALF and control groups were significant for ALT, AST, total and direct bilirubin, sodium, potassium, alkaline phosphatasis, gamma-glutamyltransferase and most important, ammonia. Histologically, significant differences were noticed between groups. CONCLUSION The model is useful for the study of specific aspects of ALF and the development of new therapeutic approaches.