Chronological Production of Thioacetamide-Induced Cirrhosis in the Rat with No Mortality
Arthit Norasingha MSc*, Wisuit Pradidarcheep PhD**, Kanokporn Chayaburakul PhD***
Affiliation : * Medical Diagnostic Department, Thammasat University Hospital, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani, Thailand ** Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakarinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand *** Anatomy Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Rangsit University, Pathumthani, Thailand
Background : Cirrhotic animal models are useful in studying complications of chronic liver disease. The authors chronologically
investigated the effect of thioacetamide (TAA), administered intraperitoneally and adapted individually to weight changes,
focusing on the optimal moment to obtain typical features of cirrhosis.
Material and Method: Male Wistar Rats,150-200 g, were intoxicated three times per week with TAA of 200 mg/kg for 4, 8,
12 or 16 weeks (n = 8 per group), respectively and compared with age-matched controls (n = 4 per group). The individual
body weight and liver function test were also measured in each group. Liver samples from each group were histologically
stained with Sirius red in order to identify the degree of liver fibrosis.
Results : Rats intoxicated for 4, 8, 12 or 16 weeks had no mortality and histologically showed hepatitis and advanced fibrosis.
At 12 and 16 weeks, all animals showed macronodular cirrhosis with signs of high-grade hepatocellular dysplasia. The
weight of the treated groups at different time points was significantly lower than the controls. Routine liver function tests
between cirrhotic and control rats showed significantly higher only in alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate
aminotransferase (AST) at 8 and 12 weeks. However, in the cirrhotic rats at 16 weeks, the ALT and AST were much lower
than that at 8 and 12 weeks but did not show any difference from the controls.
Conclusion : Thioacetamide, adapted to individual weight changes, leads to a model of cirrhosis in the rat at 12 and 16 weeks
with zero mortality.
Keywords : Thioacetamide, Cirrhosis, Portal hypertension, Rat
