Expression and function of high mobility group box 1 protein in rats with actue liver failure

Objective To investigate the liver tissue and blood of HMGB1 variation and function in rats with acute liver failure. Methods The 48 healthy female SD rats were randomly divided into control group(n = 24), and model group(n = 24). D-Gal N(400 mg/kg) and LPS(100 μg/kg) were uesd to manufacture of acute liver failure model by intraperitoneal injection. Model group was given D-Gal N/LPS by intraperitoneal injection, simultaneously, control group was given the same amount of saline. Each groups were taken specimens at 4 h, 8 h and 12 h after ALF induction. Each group was detected for serum ALT and AST concentration, observed liver pathological changes by HE staining, evaluated serum HMGB1 concentration by ELISA assay, and determined the level of HMGB1 m RNA by RT-PCR and the protein expression level of liver tissue HMGB1 by immunohistochemistry. Results The ALF models were successfully induced by D-Gal N(400 mg/kg) and LPS(100 μg/kg) injection. The serum HMGB1 concentrations and the liver tissue of HMGB1 m RNA expression of control group were lower at all time points, and they increased with time in the model group. Liver nuclei and cytoplasm of the control group only saw a small amount of HMGB1 protein expression in liver tissue, the model group HMGB1 protein expression increased with time. Conclusions The blood and liver tissue HMGB1 levels of rats with acute liver failure increased with time, there was a positive correlation between them and the degrees of liver damage.