Liver injury in sepsis and abdominal compartment syndrome in rats

To evaluate the extent of liver injury after the onset of sepsis and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in rats.

We divided 60 rats into four groups of 15. Group 1 was the sham group. In group 2, sepsis was induced by cecal puncture and ligation; in group 3, ACS was created by placing a catheter in the abdominal cavity; and in group 4, both sepsis and ACS were induced simultaneously. Liver sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin were assessed pathologically, and liver injury was defined by the following five pathological patterns: spotty necrosis, capsular inflammation, portal inflammation, ballooning degeneration, and steatosis of the liver. We revised a new scoring system, called "Hepatic Injury Severity Scoring" (HISS), to evaluate the liver injury in sepsis, ACS, and sepsis plus ACS. Blood was collected for liver function tests.

The total scores of groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 18, 92, 86, and 123, respectively. There were significant differences in histopathologic grade between group 1 and groups 2, 3, and 4 (P < 0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin levels were significantly higher in group 4 than in the other three groups.

The findings of this study showed that liver function severely affected the onset of ACS and sepsis. The liver injury resulting from sepsis plus ACS is more severe than that resulting from either one independently.