Response of albumin synthesis to lipopolysaccharide in rat hepatocytes

Objectives: To investigate the response of albumin synthesis in rat hepatocytes in vitro in early acute phase of LPS challenge. Methods: There were two groups of three samples randomizedto receive either normal saline or 1μg/L LPS. The albumin mRNA in hepatocytes was assessed and the albumin in the supernatantwas measured at 0, 2, 8, 12, 24 h after treatment. Meanwhile, the albumin precursorwas evaluated at the same time points with flow metric analysis. Results: The quantitative changes of mRNA, albumin precursor and its protein wereanalogous.All of them became to decline at 12 h post treatment and did not decrease significantly until 24 h after LPS challenge. Meanwhile, albumin mRNA decreased about 30% and the levels of albumin precursorand albuminreduced approximately 50%. Conclusions: LPS can inhibit the albumin synthesis of hepatocytes by prevention of albumintranscription. Moreover, the response of hepatic albumin synthesis to LPS changes with the stage of sepsis process and the other mechanisms are responsible for the hypoalbuminaemia syndrome.