Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is still one of a few great secrets of today's medicine. Pathomechanism of this syndrome, specially in case of an acute liver damage, is still poorly understood.
Aim of the study: In our study in experimental galactosamine (Ga1N) model, using the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor- N omega-nitro-L-Arginine (L-NAME), we tried to explain, whether the nitric oxide plays some role in this model of HRS.
Material and methods: We used 56 male Sprague-Dawley rats (SDR) divided into 7 groups. To achieve acute renal failure in all tested groups of animals GalN was given intraperitoneally. To determine influence of nitric oxide inhibition, L-NAME was given before and after Ga1N injection. Control groups received adequate volume of 0.9% saline solution.
Results: Liver and renal failure developed in all tested groups. Inhibition of NOS significantly but dose independently prevented the development of acute renal failure both before and after Ga1N injection. Pretreatment with L-NAME was significantly more succesful than post Ga1N treatment.
Conclusion: Our study showed that inhibition of nitric oxide synthase prevents the development of renal failure in animal model of HRS. This is probably the first observation that nitric oxide plays important role in this model of HRS.