Abstract
Acute liver failure (ALF) is a devastating clinical syndrome with a high mortality rate if not treated promptly. Previous studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) on the brain and liver. The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of H(2)S in ALF. A mouse model of ALF was established following treatment with thioacetamide (TAA). Mice with TAA-induced ALF were intraperitoneally injected with 30 or 100 µmol/kg/day sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS; a H(2)S donor drug) for two weeks. According to results from novel object recognition and Y-maze tests, in the present study, NaHS treatment alleviated cognitive deficiency and preserved spatial orientation learning ability in TAA-induced ALF mice compared with those of untreated mice. In addition, NaHS treatment reduced serum levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and the concentration of ammonia compared with those that received control treatment, resulting in weight loss prevention. These findings suggested a beneficial effect of H(2)S on liver function. In conclusion, results from the present study suggested that H(2)S treatment may alleviate cognitive deficiency and hepatic dysfunction in mice with ALF, indicating the potential therapeutic benefits of applying H(2)S for the treatment of ALF.