Comparison of murine cirrhosis models induced by hepatotoxin administration and common bile duct ligation

AIM： To build up the research models of hepatic fibrosis in mice.METHODS： Inbred wild-type FVB/N mice were either treated with alpha-naphthyl-isothiocyanate （ANIT）, allyl alcohol （AA）,carbon tetrachloride （CCl4）, 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-l,4-dihydrocollidine （DDC）, and silica, or subjected to common bile duct ligation （CBDL） to induce hepatic injury. Liver biopsies were performed every 4 wk to evaluate hepatic fibrosis over a period of 6 mo. Cumulative cirrhosis and survival curves were constructed by life table method and compared with Wilcoxon test.RESULTS： Under the dosages used, there was neither mortality nor cirrhosis in AA and silica-treated groups. DDC and ANIT caused cirrhosis within 4-12 and 12-24 wk, respectively.Both showed significantly faster cirrhosis induction at high dosages without significant alteration of survival. The duration for cirrhosis induction by CCl4 ranged from 4 to 20 wk, mainly dependent upon the dosage. However, the increase in CCl4 dosage significantly worsened survival. Intraperitoneal CCl4 administration resulted in better survival in comparison with garage administration at high dosage, but not at medium and low dosages. After CBDL, all the mice developed liver cirrhosis within 4-8 wk and then died by the end of 26 wk.CONCLUSION： CBDL and administrations of ANIT, CCl4, and DDC ensured liver cirrhosis. CBDL required the least amount of time in cirrhosis induction, but caused shortened lives of mice. It was followed by DDC and ANIT administration with favorable survival. As for CCl4, the speed of cirrhosis induction and the mouse survival depended upon the dosages and the administration route.

The Therapeutic Effects of Baicalein on the Hepatopulmonary Syndrome in the Rat Model of Chronic Common Bile Duct Ligation

Background and Aims:Hepatopulmonary syndrome(HPS)is characterized by arterial oxygenation defects due to pulmonary vascular dilation in liver disease.To date,liver transplantation remains the only effective treatment for HPS.This study aimed to explore the preventative role of baicalein in HPS development.Methods:Sixty male rats were randomly assigned to three groups:sham,common bile duct ligation(CBDL),and baicalein,receiving intraperitoneal injections of baicalein(40 mg·kg^(-1)·d^(-1),diluted in saline)for 21 days.Survival rate,liver and kidney function,and bile acid metabolism levels were evaluated.Liver and lung angiogenesis and hepatic glycogen staining were assessed,and the expression of relevant proteins was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.Results:Baicalein improved survival rates and hypoxemia in rats post-CBDL,reducing angiogenic protein levels and enhancing glucose homeostasis.Compared to the untreated group,baicalein suppressed the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor,placental growth factors,matrix metalloprotease 9 and C-X-C motif chemokine 2,and it increased the expression of glycemic regulatory proteins,including dipeptidyl peptidase-4,sirtuin 1,peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor gamma co-activator 1α,and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3.Conclusion:Baicalein significantly improves hepatic function and hypoxia in HPS rats by attenuating pathological angiogenesis in the liver and lungs,showing promise as a treatment for HPS.