Abstract
Coagulation abnormalities are common findings in acute liver failure (ALF) that underlie its fatal outcome. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on the oxidative stress and the disturbed hemostasis in lipopolysaccharide/galactosamine-induced ALF in rats. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into control, ALF and a CAPE-treated ALF groups. Liver transaminases (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase), total bilirubin, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen level, anti-thrombin III levels, platelet count and antioxidative enzymes; catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in serum and reduced glutathione levels in serum and liver tissue were investigated. The ALF group showed increased serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and total bilirubin. Coagulation tests showed prolonged prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, decreased platelet count, fibrinogen and anti-thrombin III levels, and decreased activities of the antioxidative enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase and decreased tissue and serum glutathione levels. Pretreatment with CAPE for 14 days before and a single dose after the exposure to the lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine reversed the abnormal liver functions and blood coagulation tests and increased the antioxidative enzymes activities and glutathione levels. CAPE is a promising compound that can support the liver, counteract oxidative stress and disturbed hemostasis in endotoxic-induced ALF. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 21:158-163 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.