ABSTRACT
Objective To reproduce an animal model of acute hepatic failure at high altitude areas for use in the research of extracorporeal artificial liver support. Methods General condition, survival time, relevant biochemistry indexes and pathological changes of the pigs treated by two peritoneal injections of thioacetamide in the dose of 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg respectively. Results All the pigs in the 3 experimental groups displayed clinical symptoms and signs and biochemistry changes similar to that of human patients with acute hepatic failure, and the 100mg/kg group may be the most ideal model. Conclusion The animal model of pig treated with two peritoneal injections of thioacetamide 100mg/kg is suitable for the research of extracorporeal artificial liver support for hepatic failure at high altitude.