The Observation On Rabbits With Acute Hepatic Injury Induced By Endotoxin

ObjectiveTo observe the changes of hepatic injury of an endotoximia model rabbit.MethodsTo produce an animal model of endotoxemia with different degree of hepatic injury, animals were treated with three different doses of lipopolysaccharide (50,100, 200μg/kg)respectively, while the animals in control group were treated with the same volume of the vehicle (saline). The levels of serum ALT, AST and plasma LPS were detected at 0,2,4,8 hours after lipopolysaccharide or vehicle injection respectively. The morphological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) staining. The apoptosis of liver cells were detected by TUNEL assay.Results1. The levels of serum ALT, AST increased from 2 hours after endotoxin administration, which were still in higher level at 8 hours in the model groups. There were significant difference in the above biochemical indicators between model groups and control groups. Endotoxin treatment increase the levels of serum ALT, AST in a dose-dependent way.2. The levels of plasma LPS increased from 2 hours after endotoxin administration, which which were still in higher level at 8 hours in the model groups. There were significant difference in the above indicator between model groups and control groups. Endotoxin treatment increase the levels of plasma LPS in a dose-dependent way.3. There was no abnormality seen in hepatic tissue of control groups. In 50μg/kg LPS groups, the hepatic tissue was injured slightly. In 100μg/kg LPS groups, the hepatic tissue was injured obviously. In 200μg/kg LPS groups, the hepatic tissue was injured severely.4. The apoptotic indexes of the liver cells showed that there were significant difference between model groups and control groups while there were also significant difference among 3 model groups. Endotoxin treatment increased the indexes of the liver cells in a dose-dependent way.Conclusion1. The exoteric endotoxin can induce hepatic injury in a dose-dependent way during the process of endotoxemia.2. There may be other source of endotoxin release to the blood during the process of endotoxemia induced by exoteric endotoxin.3. Necrosis and apoptosis are the important morphological features in this process.