Development Of An Experimental Model Of Liver Cirrhosis In Rabbits

  1. CG Brandão,
  2. HHA Ferreira,
  3. H Piovesana,
  4. NC Polimeno,
  5. JGP Ferraz,
  6. G De Nucci,
  7. J Pedrazzoli Jr

Article first published online: 9 OCT 2008

DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1681.2000.03381.x

Issue

Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology

Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology

Volume 27, Issue 12, pages 987–990, December 2000

Additional Information

How to Cite

Brandão, C., Ferreira, H., Piovesana, H., Polimeno, N., Ferraz, J., De Nucci, G. and Pedrazzoli, J. (2000), Development Of An Experimental Model Of Liver Cirrhosis In Rabbits. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 27: 987–990. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1681.2000.03381.x

Author Information

  1. * Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology Unit, † Department of Pathology, ‡Hemocentre, São Francisco University Medical School, Bragança Paulista, §Discipline of Clinical Gastroenterology and Gastrocentro, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas and Cartesius Analytical Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

* Correspondence: DrJoséPedrazzoli Júnior, Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology Unit, São Francisco University Medical School, Av. São Francisco de Assis 218, 12900-000 Bragança Paulista, SP, Brazil. Email: pedrazz@dglnet.com.br

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 9 OCT 2008
  2. Article first published online: 9 OCT 2008

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Keywords:

  • CCl4;
  • cirrhosis;
  • experimental;
  • liver injury;
  • portal hypertension

SUMMARY

1. The aim of the present study was to develop an experimental model of liver cirrhosis in rabbits using CCl4 and phenobarbital.

2. Liver cirrhosis was induced in male New Zealand white rabbits (n = 10) by intragastric administration of CCl4 once weekly starting 14 days after the addition of phenobarbital to the drinking water (50 mg/day). Controls received phenobarbital only (n = 7). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), albumin and bilirubin levels were determined throughout CCl4 treatment. The initial dose of CCl4 was 20 μg and subsequent doses were calculated to maintain AST and ALT levels between 400 and 800 IU/L for the duration of treatment (16 weeks). Indocyanine green (ICG) clearance was performed before and at the end of CCl4 treatment. Animals were killed at 16 weeks and three fragments of each liver lobe were processed for histological examination. A semiquantitative score was used to evaluate the development of fibrosis.

3. Cirrhosis developed in 80% of rabbits treated with CCl4. These animals did not gain weight compared with controls (P < 0.05). A significant reduction of ICG clearance was observed in CCl4-treated rabbits compared with controls (P < 0.05). The AST, ALT, bilirubin and γ-GGT levels were elevated in CCl4-treated rabbits.

4. In conclusion, this model is successful in producing liver cirrhosis and may be useful in studies investigating metabolic, immunological or biochemical changes during the evolution of chronic liver disease.

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