[Experimental models for assessment of pulmonary alterations in hepatopulmonary syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify the best experimental model in which to observe the pulmonary alterations characterizing hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS).


METHODS
Male Wistar rats, with mean weight of 250 g, were used in four experimental models: inhaled carbon tetrachloride; intraperitoneal carbon tetrachloride; partial portal vein ligation; and bile duct ligation (BDL). The animals in all groups were divided into control and experimental subgroups. The following variables were measured: transaminase levels; blood gases; lipoperoxidation, using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and chemiluminescence; and levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) anti-oxidant activity. Anatomopathological examination of the lung was also performed.


RESULTS
There were statistically significant differences between the BDL control and BDL experimental groups: aspartate aminotransferase (105.3 +/- 43 vs. 500.5 +/- 90.3 IU/L); alanine aminotransferase (78.75 +/- 37.7 vs. 162.75 +/- 35.4 IU/L); alkaline phosphatase (160 +/- 20.45 vs. 373.25 +/- 45.44 IU/L); arterial oxygen tension (85.25 +/- 8.1 vs. 49.9 +/- 22.5 mmHg); and oxygen saturation (95 +/- 0.7 vs. 73.3 +/- 12.07%). Lipoperoxidation and antioxidant activity also differed significantly between the two BDL groups (control vs. experimental): TBARS (0.87 +/- 0.3 vs. 2.01 +/- 0.9 nmol/mg protein); chemiluminescence (16008.41 +/- 1171.45 vs. 20250.36 +/- 827.82 cps/mg protein); and SOD (6.66 +/- 1.34 vs. 16.06 +/- 2.67 IU/mg protein). The anatomopathological examination confirmed pulmonary vasodilatation in the BDL model. In the other models, there were no alterations that were characteristic of HPS.


CONCLUSIONS
The data obtained suggest that the BDL model can be used in future studies involving hepatic alterations related to oxidative stress and HPS.
Vercelino
Rafael
R
Programa de Pós-graduação em Fisiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
Tieppo
Juliana
J
Forgiarini Junior
Luiz Albeto
LA
Dias
Alexandre Simões
AS
Marroni
Claudio Augusto
CA
Marroni
Norma Possa
NP
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery; D020065:Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000503:physiopathology; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase