title: A thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy model in C57BL/6 mice: a behavioral and neurochemical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome resulting from liver failure. In the present study, we aimed to standardize an animal model of HE induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in C57BL/6 mice evaluating behavioral symptoms in association with liver damage and alterations in neurotransmitter release.
  
  
  METHODS
  HE was induced by an intraperitoneal single dose of TAA (200 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg or 1,200 mg/kg). Behavioral symptoms were evaluated using the SHIRPA battery. Liver damage was confirmed by histopathological analysis. The glutamate release was measured using fluorimetric assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The neuropsychiatric state, motor behavior and reflex and sensory functions were significantly altered in the group receiving 600 mg/kg of TAA. Biochemical analysis revealed an increase in the glutamate release in the cerebral cortex of HE mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HE induced by 600 mg/kg TAA injection in C57BL/6 mice seems to be a suitable model to investigate the pathogenesis and clinical disorders of HE.
authors: Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Aline Silva de
authors: AS
authors: Miranda
authors: David Henrique
authors: DH
authors: Rodrigues
authors: Luciene Bruno
authors: LB
authors: Vieira
authors: Cristiano Xavier
authors: CX
authors: Lima
authors: Milene Alvarenga
authors: MA
authors: Rachid
authors: Paula Vieira Teixeira
authors: PV
authors: Vidigal
authors: Marcus Vinicius
authors: MV
authors: Gomez
authors: Helton José Dos
authors: HJ
authors: Reis
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Guatimosim
authors: Antônio Lúcio
authors: AL
authors: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D013853:Thioacetamide / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D013853:Thioacetamide; D018698:Glutamic Acid