Animal models accurately representing acute liver failure (Review).

Area of Science:

• Hepatology and Toxicology
• Animal Models in Disease Research
• Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Background:

• Acute liver injury (ALI) is a precursor to acute liver failure (ALF), necessitating reliable animal models for research.
• Current animal models often fail to accurately replicate the complex pathophysiology of ALF, hindering therapeutic development.
• Mouse models are increasingly recognized for their potential in simulating ALF onset and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the pathophysiological mechanisms of ALF.
• To evaluate the strengths and limitations of commonly used animal models for ALF.
• To propose optimized drug and chemical dosages for creating accurate mouse models of ALF.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on ALF pathophysiology and animal models.
• Evaluation of commonly used model organisms, focusing on mouse models.
• Analysis of varying drug and chemical dosages employed in ALF model induction.
• Discussion on the accuracy of ALI/ALF models concerning disease progression.

Main Results:

• Mouse models offer significant advantages in simulating ALF onset and progression compared to other organisms.
• Significant variability exists in drug and chemical dosages used for ALF model induction.
• The accuracy of ALF models in reflecting disease progression is dependent on the chosen dosages.

Conclusions:

• Optimized and standardized drug/chemical dosages are essential for developing reliable mouse models of ALF.
• Further research into refining ALF animal models is critical for advancing therapeutic strategies.
• Standardized mouse models will facilitate a deeper understanding of ALF pathogenesis and treatment efficacy.