Plasma microRNA profiles distinguish lethal injury in acetaminophen toxicity: A research study

Figure 1 Plasma microRNA both up- and downregulated in lethally (500 mg/kg) compared to sublethally (150 mg/kg) dosed acetaminophen mice at the 12 h time point. A total of 528 microRNAs were screened using the reverse transcriptase² miRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array of mouse whole genome, per the manufacturer’s protocol (SABioscience, Qiagen Sciences, MD). Quantitative PCR data were analyzed using manufacturer software (http://pcrdataanalysis.sabiosciences.com/pcr/arrayanalysis.php).

Figure 2 Increased hepatotoxicity (measured in elevated alanine aminotransferase levels) in lethally dosed acetaminophen mice over time. ^aP < 0.05 vs 0.5 h time point for the 150 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg treatment groups, respectively. ALT: Alanine aminotransaminase.

Figure 3 Survival of lethally compared to sublethally dosed acetaminophen mice. Kaplan-Meier survival curve over time (h) after sublethal (150 mg/kg) and lethal (500 mg/kg) acetaminophen poisoning (P = 0.011).

Figure 4 Histopathologic analysis of liver after lethal compared to sublethal acetaminophen dosing. Hematoxylin and eosin liver tissue staining at 12 h of (A) sublethally (150 mg/kg) acetaminophen poisoned mice, with no signs of centrilobular inflammation or necrosis; and (B) lethally (500 mg/kg) acetaminophen poisoned mice with extensive centrilobular necrosis, enlarged hepatocytes, and highly vacuolated cytoplasm.