Original Articles
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1998. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 15, 1998; 4(1): 66-69
Published online Feb 15, 1998. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v4.i1.66
A new rat model of portal hypertension induced by intraportal injection of microspheres
Xiang-Nong Li, IS Benjamin, B Alexander
Xiang-Nong Li, Department of Liver Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou 221002, China
IS Benjamin, B Alexander, Department of Surgery, King’ s College School of Medicine & Dentistry, London, United Kingdom.
Xiang-Nong Li, , Associate Professor and Director of the Department of Liver Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Xuzhou Medical College. Born on April 23, 1958. Graduated and obtained a bachelor degree from Xuzhou Medical College in 1982, and a master degree from Beijing Medical University in 1988. Worked as a visiting scholar in the Department of Surgery, King’s College School & Dentistry in the United Kingdom from 1993-1994. Specialized in the study of portal hypertension and hepatic carcinoma; having 23 papers published.
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Xiang-Nong Li, Department of Liver Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Xuzhou Medical College, 50 Jiaheqian Street, Xuzhou 221002, China
Telephone: +86-516-5698950 ex 2003 or 2009
Received: April 15, 1997
Revised: June 14, 1997
Accepted: July 30, 1997
Published online: February 15, 1998
Abstract

AIM: To produce a new rat model of portal hypertension by intraportal injection of microspheres. METHODS: Measured aliquots of single or different-sized microspheres (15, 40, 80μm) were injected into the portal vein to block intrahepatic portal radicals. The resultant changes in arterial,portal,hepatic venous and splenic pulp pressures were monitored. The liver and lungs were excised for histological examination.

RESULTS: Portal venous pressure was elevated from basal value of 0.89-1.02 kPa to a steady-state of 1.98-3.19 kPa following the sequential injections of single- or different-sized microspheres, with a markedly lowered mean arterial pressure. However, a small-dose injection of 80 μm microspheres (1.8 × 105) produced a steady-state portal venous pressure of 2.53 × 0.17 kPa, and all rats showed normal arterial pressures. In addition, numerous microspheres were found in the lungs in all experimental groups.

CONCLUSION: Portal hypertension can be reproduced in rats by intraportal injection of microspheres at a small dose of 80 μm (1.8 × 105). Intrahepatic portal-systemic shunts probably exist in the normal rat liver.

Keywords: portal vein, hypertension, portal, disease model, animal, latex microsphere