Zinc Content in Liver of Experimental Fulminant Hepatic Failure Rat : Significance as Index to Hepatic Injury and Regeneration

A rat model of fulminant hepatic failure induced by D-galactosamine (Gal) was given glucagon and insulin. The amount of Zn contained in its liver was measured and investigated for use as an index to the progress of hepatic failure and to the hepatic regeneration. The results showed that the Zn content in the rat's liver had been rapidly reduced to the lowest value 48 hours after Gal was given before the morphological change occurred. Also, a significant improvement was observed in the Zn content in liver by giving glucagon and insulin. As a result, it is suggested that the Zn content can be used as an index to the degree of hepatocyte injury and regeneration.