Development of a rat model of D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide induced hepatorenal syndrome

AIM:To develop a practical and reproducible rat model of hepatorenal syndrome for further study of the pathophysiology of human hepatorenal syndrome. METHODS:Sprague-Dawley rats were intravenously injected with D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide(LPS) via the tail vein to induce fulminant hepatic failure to develop a model of hepatorenal syndrome. Liver and kidney function tests and plasma cytokine levels were measured after D-galactosamine/LPS administration,and hepatic and renal pathology was studied. Glomerular filtration rate was detected in conscious rats using micro-osmotic pump technology with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled inulin as a surrogate marker.RESULTS:Serum levels of biochemical indicators including liver and kidney function indexes and cytokines all significantly changed,especially at 12 h after D-galactosamine/LPS administration [alanine aminotransferase,3389.5 ± 499.5 IU/L; blood urea nitrogen,13.9 ± 1.3 mmol/L; Cr,78.1 ± 2.9 μmol/L; K+,6.1 ± 0.5 mmol/L; Na+,130.9 ± 1.9 mmol/L; Cl-,90.2 ± 1.9 mmol/L; tumor necrosis factor-α,1699.6 ± 599.1 pg/m L; endothelin-1,95.9 ± 25.9 pg/m L; P < 0.05 compared with normal saline control group]. Hepatocyte necrosis was aggravated gradually,which was most significant at 12 h after treatment with D-galactosamine/LPS,and was characterized by massive hepatocyte necrosis,while the structures of glomeruli,proximal and distal tubules were normal. Glomerular filtration rate was significantly decreased to 30%-35% of the control group at 12 h after D-galactosamine/LPS administration [Glomerular filtration rate(GFR)1,0.79 ± 0.11 m L/min; GFR2,3.58 ± 0.49 m L/min·kg BW-1; GFR3,0.39 ± 0.99 m L/min·g KW-1]. The decreasing timing of GFR was consistent with that of the presence of hepatocyte necrosis and liver and kidney dysfunction.CONCLUSION:The joint use of D-galactosamine and LPS can induce liver and kidney dysfunction and decline of glomerular filtration rate in rats which is a successful rat model of hepatorenal syndrome.

High expression of type I inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor in the kidney of rats with hepatorenal syndrome

AIM To detect the expression of typeⅠ inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor(IP3 RI) in the kidney of rats with hepatorenal syndrome(HRS).METHODS One hundred and twenty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups to receive an intravenous injection of D-galactosamine(D-Gal N) plus lipopolysaccharide(LPS; group G/L, n = 50), D-Gal N alone(group G, n = 25), LPS alone(group L, n = 25), and normal saline(group NS, n = 25), respectively.At 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 h after injection, blood, liver, and kidney samples were collected. Hematoxylineosin staining of liver tissue was performed to assess hepatocyte necrosis. Electron microscopy was used to observe ultrastructural changes in the kidney. Western blot analysis and real-time PCR were performed to detect the expression of IP3 RI protein and m RNA in the kidney, respectively.RESULTS Hepatocyte necrosis was aggravated gradually, which was most significant at 12 h after treatment with D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide, and was characterized by massive hepatocyte necrosis. At the same time, serum levels of biochemical indicators including liver and kidney function indexes were all significantly changed. The structure of the renal glomerulus and tubules was normal at all time points. Western blot analysis indicated that IP3 RI protein expression began to rise at 3 h(P < 0.05) and peaked at 12 h(P < 0.01). Real-time PCR demonstrated that IP3 RI m RNA expression began to rise at 3 h(P < 0.05) and peaked at 9 h(P < 0.01).CONCLUSION IP3 RI protein expression is increased in the kidney of HRS rats, and may be regulated at the transcriptional level.