Oxidative stress and apoptosis are proposed mechanisms of cellular injury in studies of xenobiotic hepatotoxicity. This study is focused on addressing the mutual relationship and early signals of these mechanisms in the D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide (D-GalN/LPS) hepatotoxicity model, with the help of standard liver function and biochemistry tests, histology, and measurement of gene expression by RT-PCR.
Intraperitoneal injection of 400 mg/kg D-GalN and 50 mu g/kg LPS was able to induce hepatotoxicity in rats, as evidenced by significant increases in liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and raised bilirubin levels in plasma. Heme oxygenase-1 and nitric oxide synthase-2 gene expressions were significantly increased, along with levels of their products, bilirubin and nitrite.