Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Animal models of fulminant hepatic failure

  • Conference Report
  • Published:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The six requirements for a satisfactory animal model of fulminant hepatic failure are reversibility, reproducibility, death from liver failure, a therapeutic window, a large animal model, and minimal hazard to personnel. Different models may be required to evaluate the various types of liver failure seen in man. The available models include surgical anhepatic and devascularization procedures, as well as hepatotoxic drug administration using agents such as carbon tetrachloride, acetaminophen, or galactosamine. Currently combined surgical and drug models appear to provide the best model but the search for the ideal models continues.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  1. Mathiesen LR, Skinoj R, Nielsen JO, Purcell RH, Wong D, Ranek L: Hepatitis type A, B, and non-A non-B in fulminant hepatitis. Gut 21:72–77, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  2. Zimmerman HJ, Maddrey WC: Toxic and drug-induced hepatitis.In Diseases of the Liver, 5th ed. L Schiff, ER Schiff (eds). Philadelphia, JB Lippincott, 1982, pp. 621–692

    Google Scholar 

  3. Christensen E, Bremmelgaard A, Bahnsen M, Buch Andreason P, Tygstrup N: Prediction of fatality in fulminant hepatic failure. Scand J Gastroenterol 19:90–96, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  4. Kirsch RE, Cohen CD, Saunders SJ, Hickman R, Terblanche J, Alp M: Acute liver failure.In Liver and Biliary Disease. R Wright, GH Millward-Sadler, KGMM Alberti, S Karran (eds). London, Bailliere Tindall, 1985, pp. 659–676

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bismuth H, Samuel D, Berneau J, Gugenheim J, Castaing D, Rueff B, Benhamou JP: Emergency liver transplantation: a breakthrough in the treatment of fulminant hepatitis. J Hepatol 5:S12, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  6. Vickers C, Neuberger J, Buckels J, McMaster P, Elias E: Transplantation of the liver in adults and children with fulminant hepatic failure. J Hepatol 7:143–150, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  7. Brems JJ, Hiath JR, Ramming KP, Quinones Baldrich WJ, Busuttil RW: Fulminant hepatic failure. The role of liver transplantation as primary therapy. Am J Surg 154:137–141, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  8. Terblanche J, Hickman R, Miller DJ, Saunders SJ: Animal experience with support systems: Are there appropriate animal models of fulminant hepatic necrosis?In Artificial Liver Support. R Williams, I Murray-Lyon (eds). London, Pitman Medical, 1975, pp. 163–172

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hickman R, Dent DM, Terblanche J: The anhepatic model in a pig. S Afr Med J 48:263–264, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  10. Giges B, Dein HL, Sborov VM, Seligson D, Howard JM: Experimental hepatic coma. Surg Gynecol Obstet 97:763–768, 1953

    Google Scholar 

  11. Tonnesen K: Experimental liver failure. A comparison between hepatectomy and hepatic devascularization in the pig. Acta Chir Scand 143:271–277, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  12. Wustrow T, Hickman R, van Hoorn WA, Fisher M, Terblanche J, Vinik AI: Acute hepatic ischaemia in the pig-the changes in plasma hormones, amino acids and brain biochemistry. Acta Hepatogastroenterol 28:143–146, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  13. Mann FC: Studies in the physiology of the liver (1) technique and general effects of removal. Am J Med Sci 161:37–45, 1921

    Google Scholar 

  14. Freeman JB, Shizgal HM, Slapack M, Gutelius JR: The effect of hepatectomy on body water distribution. J Surg Res 14:31–35, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ringe B, Pichlmayr R, Lubbe N, Bornscheuer A, Kuse E: Total hepatectomy as temporary approach to acute hepatic failure or primary graft failure. Transplant Proc 20(suppl 1): 552–557, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hanid MA, Mackenzie RL, Jenner RE, Chase RA, Mellon PJ, Trewby PN, Janota I, Davis M, Silk DBA, Williams R: Intracranial pressure in pigs with surgically induced acute liver failure. Gastroenterology 76:123–131, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  17. de Groot GH, Reuvers CB, Schalm SW, Boks AL, Terpstra OT, Jeekel H, ten Kate FWJ, Bruinvels J: A reproducible model of acute hepatic failure by transient ischemia in the pig. J Surg Res 42:92–100, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  18. van Leenhoff JW, Hickman R, Saunders SJ, Terblanche J: Massive liver cell necrosis induced in the pig with carbon tetrachloride. S Afr Med J 48:1201–1204, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  19. Mourelle M, Villalon C, Amezcua JL: Protective effect of colchicine on acute liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride. J Hepatol 6:337–342, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  20. Clark R, Thompson RPH, Borirakchanyavat V, Widdop B, Davidson AR, Goulding R, Williams R: Hepatic damage and death from overdose of paracetamol. Lancet 1:66–70, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  21. Miller DJ, Hickman R, Fratter R, Terblanche J, Saunders SJ: An animal model of fulminant hepatic failure: A feasibility study. Gastroenterology 71:109–113, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  22. Francavilla A, Makowka L, Polimeno L, Barone M, Demetris J, Guglielmi FW, Ambrosino G, van Thiel DH, Starzl TE: A novel model of acute hepatic failure in dogs with implications for transplantation research. Transplant Proc 20(suppl 1):713–715, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  23. Blitzer BL, Waggoner JG, Jones EA, Gralnick HR, Towne D, Butler J, Weise V, Kopin IJ, Walters I, Teychenne PF, Goodman DG, Berk PD: A model of fulminant hepatic failure in the rabbit. Gastroenterology 74:664–671, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  24. Mullen KD, Schafer DF, Maynard TF, De Knegt R, Jones DB, Roessle M, Jones EA: Galactosamine induced fulminant hepatic failure in the rat may be an unsuitable model for acute hepatic encephalopathy: A comparison with the rabbit model. Gastroenterology 90:1750, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kawai Y, Price JB, Hardy MA: Reversal of liver failure in rats by ultraviolet-irradiated hepatocyte transplantation. Transplant Proc 19:989–991, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  26. Baraldi M, Zeneroli ML, Ventura E, Penne A, Pinelli G, Ricci P, Santi M: Supersensitivity of benzodiazepine receptors in hepatic encephalopathy due to fulminant hepatic failure in the rat: reversal by a benzodiazepine antagonist. Clin Sci 67:167–175, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  27. Sutherland DER, Numata M, Matas AJ, Simmons RL, Najarian JS: Hepatocellular transplantation in acute liver failure. Surgery 82:124–132, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  28. Harrison GG, Smith JS: Massive lethal necrosis in rats anesthetized with fluroxene, after microsomal enzyme induction. Anesthesiology 39:619–625, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  29. Maddison JE, Dodd PR, Johnston GAR, Farrell GC: Brain γ-aminobutyric acid receptor binding is normal in rats with thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy despite elevated plasma γ-aminobutyric acid-like activity. Gastroenterology 93:1062–1068, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  30. Mizoguchi Y, Tsutsui H, Miyajima K, Sakagami Y, Seki S, Kobayashi K, Yamamoto S, Morisawa S: The protective effects of Prostaglandin E1 in an experimental massive hepatic cell necrosis model. Hepatology 6:1184–1188, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  31. Miyazaki M, Makowka L, Falk RE, Falk JA, McDonell M, Venturi D: Protection of thermochemotherapeutic-induced lethal acute hepatic necrosis in the rat by 16, 16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2. J Surg Res 34:415–426, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  32. Farivar M, Wands JR, Isselbacher KJ, Bucher NLR: Effects of insulin and glucogen on fulminant murine hepatitis. N Engl J Med 295:1517–1519, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  33. Shibayama Y: Potentiation of carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity by hypoxia. Br J Exp Pathol 67:909–914, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  34. Hickman R, Alp MH: A predictable pathophysiological model of porcine hepatic failure. Eur Surg Res 18:283–292, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  35. Alp MH, Hickman R: The effect of prostaglandins, branched-chain amino acids and other drugs on the outcome of experimental acute porcine hepatic failure. J Hepatol 4:99–107, 1987

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Research Council Liver Research Centre, University of Cape Town Medical School, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa

    John Terblanche ChM, FCS(SA), FRCS(Eng), FRCPS(Glasg), FACS(Hon) & Rosemary Hickman ChM, MD

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Cape Town Medical School, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa

    John Terblanche ChM, FCS(SA), FRCS(Eng), FRCPS(Glasg), FACS(Hon) & Rosemary Hickman ChM, MD

Authors
  1. John Terblanche ChM, FCS(SA), FRCS(Eng), FRCPS(Glasg), FACS(Hon)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rosemary Hickman ChM, MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Terblanche, J., Hickman, R. Animal models of fulminant hepatic failure. Digest Dis Sci 36, 770–774 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01311235

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01311235

Key Words

Search

Navigation