TOXIC-ALIMENTARY MODEL OF LIVER CIRRHOSIS IN RATS

Abstract

Objective: to design an experimental model of liver cirrhosis in rats and to compare it with the carbon tetrachloride model of liver injury. Material and methods. White Wistar rats (n=30) were used as objects for modeling of toxic liver injury. The modeling was performed by the designed toxic-alimentary method (experimental group, n=15) and by means of the carbon tetrachloride injection (control group, n=15). The animals were sacrificed at different terms (8, 12 weeks after start of the modeling and 3 months after termination of the modeling), and the morphological and morphometric state of the liver was studied. Results. The designed toxic-alimentary model of liver injury leads to liver cirrhosis 8 weeks after start of the modeling (reproducibility - 93.3 %). The reproducibility of liver cirrhosis in case of using the carbon tetrachloride model 8 weeks after start of the modeling is 26.7%, which is proved by statistically lower thickness of connective-tissue septa in the liver in the control group in comparison with the experimental group (p=0.016, Mann Whitney U test). The designed toxic-alimentary method ensures shorter timing of the modeling of liver cirrhosis (from 12 weeks in the control group to 8 weeks in the experimental group) and also lower reversibility of liver fibrosis signs 3 months after termination of the modeling in comparison with the carbon tetrachloride model of liver injury. Conclusions. The designed toxic-alimentary model of liver injury leads to liver cirrhosis 8 weeks after start of the modeling. The developed model ensures shorter timing of the modeling of liver cirrhosis, increased reproducibility as well as lower reversibility of liver fibrosis signs 3 months after termination of the modeling in comparison with the carbon tetrachloride model of liver injury.