Effect of viable isolated hepatocytes or hepatocyte fractions on survival rate following galactosamine-induced acute liver failure.

Administration of galactosamine to rats results in an acute liver failure. The dose-effect relation appeared to be highly strain-dependent. Intraperitoneal injection of 1,000 mg/kg galactosamine resulted in a 90% lethal acute liver failure in Wag/Rij rats. Transplantation of viable isolated hepatocytes, administration of homogenate or cytosol of normal or regenerating liver tissue, or administration of cell-free liver cell culture supernatant did not improve the survival rate in this model of acute liver failure. These findings, which are in striking contrast with the data reported in the literature, are discussed in relation to the specific properties of this type of experimental model for acute hepatic failure.