Devascularization surgical model of acute liver failure in minipigs.
OBJECTIVE
The study was designed to develop a readily reproducible model of acute liver failure (ALF) in the minipig, to gain an 8-hour therapeutic window to mimic, as closely as possible, acute liver failure in man.


METHODS
We used reversible devascularization model of ALF in the minipig involving hepatic artery ligation and establish an end-to-side portocaval anastomosis. Standard laboratory monitoring was complemented with intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement.


METHODS
Twenty minipigs (weight 25-30 kg) were used for the experiment. The animals were divided into 3 groups: I: 10 animals in an experimental group with ALF; II: 5 animals in an experimental group with ALF and ICP measurement, and III: 5 animals in a control group without ALF.


RESULTS
Laboratory testing has shown the significant changes in levels of AST (33.44 +/- 39.96 vs. 1.56 +/- 0.50 mmol/l), lactate (2.97 +/- 1.16 vs. 1.18 +/- 0.61 mmol/l), and ammonia (264.3 +/- 93.05 vs. 42.5 +/- 12.98 mmol/l) between ALF groups and controls (p < 001) 6 h after the operative procedure, and significant changes in hypoglycemia and intracranial pressure were found 4 h after the operative procedure. The difference in Quick values (67.4 +/- 17.03 vs. 75.2 +/- 2.68) was not significant. We assume that the therapeutic window starts 4 h after the beginning of the experiment.


CONCLUSIONS
Our devascularization model of ALF is simple and readily reproducible. The therapeutic window occurring shortly after surgery and persisting for a mean 9 h is suitable to evaluate bioartificial liver devices.
Ryska
M
M
Transplant Surgery Department, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic. miry@medicon.cz
Kieslichová
E
E
Pantoflícek
T
T
Ryska
O
O
Zazula
R
R
Skibová
J
J
Hájek
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008026:Ligation; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011167:Portacaval Shunt, Surgical; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature
D019344:Lactic Acid; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases