title: Hepatoprotective effect of nitric oxide in experimental model of acute hepatic failure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the development and degree of liver failure in an animal model of acute hepatic failure (AHF).
  
  
  METHODS
  An experimental rat model of galactosamine-induced AHF was used. An inhibitor of NO synthase, nitroarginine methyl ester, or an NO donor, arginine, were administered at various doses prior to or after the induction of AHF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All tested groups developed AHF. Following inhibition of the endogenous NO pathway, most liver parameters improved, regardless of the inhibitor dose before the induction of liver damage, and depending on the inhibitor dose after liver damage. Prophylactic administration of the inhibitor was more effective in improving liver function parameters than administration of the inhibitor after liver damage. An attempt to activate the endogenous NO pathway prior to the induction of liver damage did not change the observed liver function parameters. Stimulation of the endogenous NO pathway after liver damage, regardless of the NO donor dose used, improved most liver function parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The endogenous NO pathway plays an important role in the development of experimental galactosamine-induced AHF.
authors.affiliation: Marek Saracyn, Zofia Wańkowicz, Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saracyn
authors.affiliation: Marek Saracyn, Zofia Wańkowicz, Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brytan
authors.affiliation: Marek Saracyn, Zofia Wańkowicz, Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zdanowski
authors.affiliation: Marek Saracyn, Zofia Wańkowicz, Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ząbkowski
authors.affiliation: Marek Saracyn, Zofia Wańkowicz, Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Przemysław
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dyrla
authors.affiliation: Marek Saracyn, Zofia Wańkowicz, Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patera
authors.affiliation: Marek Saracyn, Zofia Wańkowicz, Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wojtuń
authors.affiliation: Marek Saracyn, Zofia Wańkowicz, Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kozłowski
authors.affiliation: Marek Saracyn, Zofia Wańkowicz, Department of Internal Diseases, Nephrology and Dialysis, Military Institute of Medicine, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Zofia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wańkowicz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005688:Galactosamine; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D005688:Galactosamine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase
keywords: Acute hepatic failure; Galactosamine; Nitric oxide; Nitric oxide synthase; Rat model