[The expression of fetuin-A and its pathological significance in fulminant hepatic failure in mice].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the dynamic changes of fetuin-A expression and the influences of the changes on liver damage, hepatocyte apoptosis and inflammation in a mouse fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) model.


METHODS
The changes of fetuin-A expression were investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Immunohistochemical staining was used in TNFa and fetuin-A detection. Hepatocyte apoptosis was detected by TUNEL.


RESULTS
Fetuin-A mRNA expression decreased after the FHF model was established for 3 hours (compared with the normal group, P less than 0.01), while the protein expression decreased after nine hours (compared with the normal group, P less than 0.01). Fetuin-A expressions were negatively correlated with the liver pathological scores and TNFa levels.


CONCLUSIONS
In our mouse FHF model, fetuin-A is a possible protective factor for liver damage.
Zhang
Pan
P
Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
Fan
Xue-gong
XG
Haichao
Wang
W
D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein
C556357:Ahsg protein, mouse; D001798:Blood Proteins; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein