RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of the pretreatment and treatment with recombinant human interleukin-11 (rhIL-11) on acute liver failure induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN). METHODS: The Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, model, pretreatment, treatment and repeated treatment groups. The acute liver failure model was established by intraperitoneal injections with D-GalN (1400 mg/kg). The pretreatment, treatment and repeated treatment groups were injected subcutaneously with rhIL-11 (500 µg/kg). The rats were killed 24, 48, or 72 h after the D-GalN injection. The symptoms and survival rate of the rats were analysed. Liver injury was assessed by serum ALT and AST levels and by histological analysis. The percentage of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA+) cells in the liver tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the survival rate of the pretreatment group improved markedly, and these rats were protected from severe hepatic injury, as shown by the decreased serum ALT and AST levels and improved histological results. In the pretreatment group, the percentage of PCNA+ cells was significantly increased in the late stage. In contrast, the treatment and repeated treatment groups did not show improved survival rates or the prevention of severe hepatic injury, as shown by the absence of any decrease in the serum ALT and AST levels and the lack of any improvement in the histological results.The treatment and repeated treatment groups also have a significant increase in the percentage of PCNA+ cells in the late stage. CONCLUSIONS: The pretreatment with rhIL-11 can reduce acute liver failure and protect the liver. In contrast, the treatment with rhIL-11 cannot reduce acute liver failure or protect the liver.