Development of Fulminant Hepatic Failure in Pigs

Hwang, Y J; Kim, J W; Lim, J W; Lim, D K; Yun, Y K; Kim, Y I

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies on acute liver failure(ALF) are necessary to evaluate the pathogenesis or the possible methods of ameliorating this life-threatening condition, despite the fact that the animal models are not similar to human cases. In this research, the effects of total devascularization of the liver with portocaval shunt were evaluated in pigs.
METHODS
Ten female pigs weighing about 30kg each were used. Total devascularization of the liver with end-to-side portocaval shunt was performed under general anesthesia. Blood samples were obtained serially to assay serum ammonia, aspartate aminotransferase(AST), albumin, and the ratio of branched chain amino acids(BCAA) and aromatic amino acids(AAA). Monitoring of intracranial pressure was also performed to evaluate the progression of hepatic encephalopathy.
RESULTS
The average survival time was 22.1+/-9.15(mean+/-SD) hours after surgery. Clinically, the pigs showed a uniform course. They became lethargic after 4-8 hours and following a period of increased drowsiness, they became comatose and died. The concentration of the amonium ion and AST in the blood increased significantly and BCAA/AAA decreased constantly, all of which were indicative of progression of hepatic failure and hepatic necrosis. Intracranial pressure progressively increased as we see in human cases of ALF. On the other hand, the level of serum albumin did not markedly change due to its long half life.
CONCLUSION
This pig model for ALF is reproducible without biohazard, it causes constant death from hepatic failure, and it has a relatively long therapeutic window which allows the institution of supportive procedures to be tested. Therefore, our liver failure model is recommended to evaluate possible supportive measures against ALF.