Author/Authors :
Farjam, M Department of Pharmacology - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Dehdab, S Fars Science Research Branch - Islamic Azad University , Abbassnia, F Fars Science Research Branch - Islamic Azad University , Mehrabani, D Stem Cell Research and Transgenic Technology Research Center , Tanideh, N Department of Pharmacology - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , Pakbaz, S Department of Pathology , Imanieh, MH Department of Pediatrics - Gastroenterohepatology Research Center - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract :
Background: As a serious neuropsychiatric disease, hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a clinical condition with
several types regarding chronicity and clinical diversity that can develop as a complication of both acute and
chronic liver failure. This study evaluates changes in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced acute hepatic encephalopathy
(AHE) in rat as an animal model.
Methods: Both genders of C57BL6, BALB/C mice and Sprague Dawley rats; (10 animals in each group) were
compared for induction of AHE to clarify which animal and gender were appropriate. The animals (10 male
rats in each group) were categorized in 4 groups according to the dose of the TAA administered (200, 300 and
400 mg/kg of TAA at 24 h intervals for 4 days). A control group was treated with solvent of TAA which was
water (5 ml/kg/day). The behavioral, biochemical markers of hepatic failure and histological aspects of thioacetamide
(TAA) induced AHE and the correlation between the clinical severity and liver failure biomarkers
were evaluated.
Results: Rat was shown to be an animal model of choice for AHE while the optimum dosage of TAA to induce
AHE was 300 mg/kg/day at 24 h intervals for 4 days. The behavioral score was partially correlated with the rising
of some biomarkers and pathological findings.
Conclusion: Rat can be introduced as the animal of choice for AHE to study the pathophysiology, pharmacology
and the survival rate of disease in liver transplant patients.
