[Galactosamine-induced acute liver failure in the guinea pig--spontaneous course and controlled study conditions]

The spontaneous course of the galactosamine-hepatitis in the guinea-pig (750 and 1000 mg/kg GalN iv respectively) is characterized by a terminal hypoglycemia together with hypothermia and arterial hypotension fifty-nine hours on average after GalN-application. Preventing hypoglycemia and hypothermia by continuous intravenous infusion of a glucose solution and by increasing room temperature, the animals do not develop hepatic coma, but show an increasing disturbance of the righting reflex and survive at least seventy-two hours. Plasma biochemical tests and liver histology reflect severe hepatic damage. A twofold increase of the liver weight is caused by raised water and lipid content combined with a concomitant depletion of liver glycogen. Pharmacological studies with 14C-Pentobarbital result in a distinctly diminished clearance and in a prolonged half life while the cytochrome P-450 content of the liver shows a moderate decrease. In animal models of acute liver failure the possible incidence of hypoglycemia, arterial hypotension and hypothermia should be considered.