Acetaminophen toxicity up-regulates MRP2 expression in the liver of cats: an old story with new vision

This study was conducted to clarify the role of efflux transporter MRP2 in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in cats. Sixteen mixed bred male cats and four liver samples from mixed breed male dogs were used. The cats were assigned into four groups (n = 4), received saline and 2, 10 and 50 mg/kg doses of acetaminophen orally for 14 days. Unlike the intact dogs, the MRP2 was not detectable in control cats. MRP2 at mRNA level was expressed in the liver of cats, which received the medium and high doses. Data suggest that the MRP2 expression may involve in the acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in cats.