Alterations of lipid contents in blood, hepatocytes, and enterocytes in the early stage of acute liver failure induced by 90% hepatectomy in the rat.

Potential alterations in lipid metabolism in the early stage of acute liver failure are poorly elucidated. In the present study, acute liver failure was induced by subtotal hepatectomy (90%) in the rat in order to investigate early alterations in lipid contents in blood, hepatocytes, and enterocytes. Hypocholesterolemia and hypotriglyceridemia appeared 2 and 6 hr following subtotal hepatectomy. Plasma levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol were significantly lower in rats with acute liver failure than in controls, which may be associated with hypocholesterolemia. An increase in erythrocyte phospholipids and triglycerides was seen from 2 hr on after hepatectomy. The content of phospholipids and triglycerides was reduced in isolated enterocytes from the proximal small intestine and increased in enterocytes from the distal small intestine. Isolated hepatocytes from the remnant liver exhibited an increase in phosphatidylethanolamine and a decrease in phosphatidylinositol. Levels of enterocyte phosphatidylserine were elevated in both the proximal and the distal small intestine, while they diminished in the distal small intestine. Sphingomyelin content increased in the proximal small intestine. The recognition of lipid alterations in the intestine-liver-systemic circulation axis in the early stage of acute liver failure may be beneficial in improving the recovery from acute liver failure.