Oxidative stress in fulminant hepatic failure: Comparison of two pig models with and without liver necrosis

Background/Aims: No experimental study has clearly demonstrated how liver n ecrosis worsens the evolution of fulminant hepatic failure. Considering tha t several types of liver injury are associated with oxidative stress, we de cided to measure plasma oxidative markers in two pig models of fulminant he patic failure without and with liver necrosis. Methodology:: Fulminant hepatic failure was produced in two groups of six p igs each by either total hepatectomy or complete hepatic devascularization. ) The following parameters were recorded before and during the course of he patic failure: electrocerebral activity, plasma vitamin E, malondialdehyde and fluorescent protein-aldehyde adducts, total cholesterol, lactate-dehydr ogenase, creatine phosphokinase, and ammonium. Results: Despite comparable survival periods, hepatic necrosis was associat ed with earlier electrocerebral deterioration. Plasma concentration of malo ndialdehyde and fluorescent protein-aldehyde adducts rose and vitamin E con tent decreased in both groups. However, while in the group without liver ne crosis the rates of cholesterol and vitamin E decay were identical, in the group with liver necrosis cholesterol concentration decreased less than vit amin E concentration, strongly indicating a true intravascular oxidation of vitamin E. Interestingly, in both models the rise of oxidative parameters preceded the development of cell injury. Conclusions: Oxidative stress, although present in both models, was signifi cantly higher in the group with Liver necrosis.