Objective     To investigate the potential role and mechanism of IL-18 and caspase-1 in rats with acute liver failure.      Methods      D-GalN/LPS were applied to inducing the rat model of acute liver failure. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups including 4 model groups and a control group. Rats in the model groups were sacrificed at different time points after the model were set up (10 h

18 h

24 h and 36 h respectively

n=10)

while rats in the control group were treated with normal saline (n=10). The HE and TUNEL staining for liver tissues were performed

and serum ALT

AST

TBIL

IL-18 mRNA and caspase-1 protein were also examined.      Results     HE staining suggested that the rat model of acute liver failure was successfully established. The serum ALT

AST and TBIL levels increased significantly in the model groups than in the control group (P0.01)

and the increase presented in a time-dependent manner (P0.05). The apoptosis index in the model groups was significantly higher than that in the control group

and the increase was also time-dependent (P0.05). IL-18 mRNA and caspase-1 expression both increased in the model groups as compared with the control group

and the increase was time-dependent (P0.05).      Conclusion     The increased expression of IL-18 and caspase-1 in acute liver failure suggests their possible roles in the pathogenesis of liver failure. IL-18 may be used as a potential predictor and a therapeutic target of acute liver failure in the future.