title: Successful treatment of CCL4-induced acute liver failure with portal vein arterialization in the rat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Optimization of the conditions for regeneration of the native diseased liver is a major goal in patients with acute liver failure. This study sought to determine whether portal vein arterialization (PVA), which increases the oxygen supply to the liver, was protective in a rat model of liver failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  At 24 hours after CCl(4) intoxication, Sprague-Dawley rats (six per group) were assigned to receive PVA or as controls. We determined blood tests, histology, and 10-day survivals. Hepatocyte regeneration was assessed by the mitotic index and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum transaminases were significantly lower in PVA-treated rats than in control animals: liver necrosis resolved rapidly after PVA. The BrdU staining and mitotic index were severalfold higher among PVA-treated than in untreated rats. Survival was 100% among rats with PVA and 40% in untreated animals (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PVA led to resolution of CCl(4)-induced massive liver necrosis in the rat. This effect was probably mediated by activation of rapid and extensive hepatocyte regeneration. PVA might provide a novel, alternative approach to treat acute liver failure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Transplantations, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Italy. nardo@aosp.bo.it
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nardo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Puviani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caraceni
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pacilè
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bertelli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beltempo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavallari
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chieco
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pariali
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pertosa
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Angiolini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Domenicali
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Neri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsivian
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cavallari
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000601:surgery*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008102:Liver Circulation; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000601:surgery*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase