[Modelling of acute liver failure in rabbits]

A study was made of experimental acute liver failure induced in rabbits by administering D-galactosamine. Thirty-three rabbits were examined with the use of a set of the clinical, biochemical, electrophysiological and histomorphological methods. The results attest to the adequacy of the model studied to the tasks set up, since it provides for the reversibility of liver injuries, high reproducibility of the pathological process, death of the animal from the growing liver failure, large size of the experimental animal, the minimal risk for the laboratory staff and maximal approximation to the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis B in man. The evidence derived may be used for further development of the correcting pathogenetic therapy.