Study of Acute Phase Proteins in Cirrhotic Rats Exposed to LPS
Author Information
Author(s): Susanne Schouw Nielsen, Thorbjørn Grøfte, Niels Tygstrup, Hendrik Vilstrup
Primary Institution: Aarhus University Hospital
Hypothesis
Rats with cirrhosis raise a reduced acute phase response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Conclusion
In rats with experimental cirrhosis, LPS caused high mortality, but in survivors, the liver still synthesized acute phase proteins normally.
Supporting Evidence
- LPS was lethal to 25% of the cirrhotic animals and to none of the controls.
- The serum concentration of α1AGP and haptoglobin rose to the same level in the animals with cirrhosis and in controls after LPS injection.
- The BDL-model itself increased the serum concentration of α1AGP and haptoglobin.
Takeaway
This study looked at how sick rats with liver cirrhosis respond to a bacteria-related substance. Even though some rats got very sick, the ones that survived were still able to make important proteins to help fight infection.
Methodology
The study involved injecting rats with LPS and measuring serum concentrations of acute phase proteins and their gene expressions in liver tissue.
Limitations
The data were obtained only from the group of survivors, and the acute phase response was defined narrowly by selected proteins.
Participant Demographics
Female Wistar rats, body weight 200–210 g.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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