Neuronal storage of histamine in the brain and tele-methylimidazoleacetic acid excretion in portocaval shunted rats.

Rats with portocaval anastomosis (PCA), an animal model of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), have very high brain histamine concentrations. Our previous studies based on a biochemical approach indicated histamine accumulation in the neuronal compartment. In this study, immunohistochemical evidence is presented which further supports the amine localization in histaminergic neurons.

Liver regeneration attenuates increased voluntary alcohol intake evoked by the liver damage.

Liver dysfunction induced in Wistar rats either surgically (by construction of portocaval anastomosis) or chemically (by chronic administration of thioacetamide) led to increased voluntary alcohol intake. Alcohol preference could be attenuated by liver regeneration that was triggered by a two-thirds hepatectomy done on cirrhotic rats. The brain serotonin system was activated in portocaval anastomosis rats and unchanged in thioacetamide-treated rats, thus suggesting that serotonin is not likely to be implicated in the mechanism(s) underlying development of alcohol preference in these rats.