Development of a rat model of D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide induced hepatorenal syndrome

AIM: To develop a practical and reproducible rat model of hepatorenal syndrome for further study of the pathophysiology of human hepatorenal syndrome. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were intravenously injected with D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via the tail vein to induce fulminant hepatic failure to develop a model of hepatorenal syndrome. Liver and kidney function tests and plasma cytokine levels were measured after D-galactosamine/LPS administration, and hepatic and renal pathology was studied. Glomerular filtration rate was detected in conscious rats using micro-osmotic pump technology with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled inulin as a surrogate marker. RESULTS: Serum levels of biochemical indicators including liver and kidney function indexes and cytokines all significantly changed, especially at 12 h after D-galactosamine/LPS administration [alanine aminotransferase, 3389.5 +/- 499.5 IU/L; blood urea nitrogen, 13.9 +/- 1.3 mmol/L; Cr, 78.1 +/- 2.9 mu mol/L; K+ , 6.1 +/- 0.5 mmol/L; Na+, 130.9 +/- 1.9 mmol/L; Cl-, 90.2 +/- 1.9 mmol/L; tumor necrosis factor-alpha, 1699.6 +/- 599.1 pg/mL; endothelin-1, 95.9 +/- 25.9 pg/mL; P < 0.05 compared with normal saline control group]. Hepatocyte necrosis was aggravated gradually, which was most significant at 12 h after treatment with D-galactosamine/LPS, and was characterized by massive hepatocyte necrosis, while the structures of glomeruli, proximal and distal tubules were normal. Glomerular filtration rate was significantly decreased to 30%-35% of the control group at 12 h after D-galactosamine/LPS administration [Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)(1), 0.79 +/- 0.11 mL/min; GFR(2), 3.58 +/- 0.49 mL/min.kgBW(-1); GFR(3), 0.39 +/- 0.99 mL/min.gKW(-1)]. The decreasing timing of GFR was consistent with that of the presence of hepatocyte necrosis and liver and kidney dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The joint use of D-galactosamine and LPS can induce liver and kidney dysfunction and decline of glomerular filtration rate in rats which is a successful rat model of hepatorenal syndrome.