Objective: To study the effects of experimental liver injury on the intestinal barrier, and to evaluate the significance of plasma D(-)-lactate, diamine oxidase (DAO) and endotoxin in live injury.
Methods: Fifty-five rats were randomized into the acute liver failure group (group C, n = 25), acute liver injury group (group B, n = 15), and control group (group A, n = 15). The concentrations of D(-)-lactate, DAO and endotoxin in plasma were detected by spectrophotograph. The morphology and subcellular structure were observed under optical microscope and transmission electron microscope.
Results: Acute liver failure and acute liver injury models were established successfully. The concentrations of D(-)-lactate and DAO in the plasma of experimental groups (group B and C) were significantly higher than those in the control group (P less than 0.05); the concentration of intestinal DAO in experimental groups were significantly lower than that in the control group (P less than 0.05); the level of endotoxin in C group was significantly higher than that in group A and group B (P less than 0.05).
Conclusion: Liver injury induces hyperpermeability of the rat intestinal mucosal barrier, plasma D(-)-lactate and DAO are sensitive markers for early diagnosis of liver injury, plasma endotoxin may accelerate deterioration of liver function.