Experimental model of systemic inflammation during acetaminophen toxicity

Acetaminophen is one of the most toxic drugs that can cause liver damage. At the same time, acetaminophen-induced liver failure is closely associated with the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome. However, there is no drug aimed at suppressing the systemic inflammatory response. That is, this issue needs to be studied experimentally, but a model of systemic inflammation during acetaminophen overdose has not yet been obtained. Therefore, it was decided to develop an experimental model of systemic inflammation during acetaminophen overdose. The purpose of this study was to experimentally substantiate the semi-lethal dose for acetaminophen overdose in C57Bl/6 mice and to evaluate the readings of blood tests after administration of the drug. To determine the semi-lethal dose, male C57Bl/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with “Ifimol” (Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories, India) or acetaminophen solution (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) with a concentration of 14 mg/ml in different doses. When introducing “Ifimol”, it was not possible to achieve a semi-lethal dose. When administering a solution of acetaminophen, 50% mortality was recorded at a dose of 600 mg/kg body weight. After establishing a semi-lethal dose, the experimental group was administered an acetaminophen solution (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) with a concentration of 14 mg/ml at a dose of 600 mg/kg. The control group was injected with saline in an equivalent volume. On the second day, liver and peripheral blood samples were taken. Subsequently, hematological and biochemical blood tests and histological analysis were performed. Histological examination revealed centrilobular necrosis and disorganization of the liver structure. According to the biochemical blood test, the activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine concentration, and the de Ritis coefficient differed statistically significantly (p < 0.05) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Among the hematological blood test parameters, there were statistically significant differences in the number of leukocytes, platelets, as well as the absolute and relative content of granulocytes and lymphocytes. Thus, 48 hours after administration of a semi-lethal dose of acetaminophen, there were signs of damage to internal organs (liver, kidneys) and changes in immune system parameters, which are similar to components of systemic inflammation in humans.