Research from University of Montreal broadens understanding of hepatic encephalopathy
2009 JUL 20 - (NewsRx.com) -- "of the International Society for Hepatic Encephalopathy and Nitrogen Metabolism Commission were to identify well-characterized animal models of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and to highlight areas of animal modelling of the disorder that are in need of development. Features essential to HE modelling were identified," scientists writing in the journal Liver International report. "The best-characterized animal models of HE in acute liver failure, the so-called Type A HE, were found to be the hepatic devascularized rat and the rat with thioacetamide-induced toxic liver injury. In case of chronic liver failure, surgical models in the rat involving end-to-side portacaval anastomosis or bile duct ligation were considered to best model minimal/mild (Type B) HE. Unfortunately, at this time, there are no satisfactory animal models of Type C HE resulting from end-stage alcoholic liver disease or viral hepatitis, the most common aetiologies encountered in patients. The commission highlighted the urgent need for such models and of improved models of HE in chronic liver failure in general as well as a need for models of post-transplant neuropsychiatric disorders. Studies of HE pathophysiology at the cellular and molecular level continue to benefit from in vitro and or ex vivo models involving brain slices or exposure of cultured cells (principally cultured astrocytes) to toxins such as ammonia, manganese and pro-inflammatory cytokines," wrote R.F. Butterworth and colleagues, University of Montreal. The researchers concluded: "More attention could be paid in the future to in vitro models involving the neurovascular unit, microglia and neuronal co-cultures in relation to HE pathogenesis.." Butterworth and colleagues published their study in Liver International (Experimental models of hepatic encephalopathy: ISHEN guidelines. Liver International, 2009;29(6):783-788). Additional information can be obtained by contacting R.F. Butterworth, University of Montreal, Neuroscience Research Unit, Hopital St. Luc CHUM, 1058 St. Denis, Montreal, PQ H2X 3J4, Canada. The publisher of the journal Liver International can be contacted at: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc., Commerce Place, 350 Main St., Malden 02148, MA, USA. Keywords: Canada, Montreal, Hepatic Encephalopathy, Acute Liver Failure, Cirrhosis, Experimental Model, Fibrosis, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Liver Failure, Metabolism, University of Montreal. This article was prepared by Gastroenterology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Gastroenterology Week via NewsRx.com.
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