Extent of Hepatectomy in the Rat

Abstract

In the present study, subtotal hepatectomy was evaluated as a model of acute liver failure in the rat. Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250–300 g, underwent hepatectomy under varying basal conditions of temperature and glucose administration. Rats operated and maintained postoperatively at ambient temperature (25 °C external environment) developed hypothermia with a rate of return to normal temperature which was related to the extent of hepatectomy and the availability of glucose postoperatively. However, no significant difference in survival was observed between groups maintained at ambient temperature and those whose core temperature was maintained at 37 °C by passive external warming. Severe hypoglycemia was observed in rats undergoing 90 and 95% hepatectomy without glucose postoperatively. With 20% glucose available in drinking water the mortality of 90% hepatectomy was reduced from 95 to 40% (p < 0.0001). With increase of the hepatectomy to 95%, 90% mortality was observed despite glucose support. Transplantation of 4 × 10⁷ isolated syngeneic hepatocytes intraperitoneally at the time of hepatectomy did not increase survival after 90 or 95% hepatectomy; addition of testosterone therapy did not improve survival either alone or with hepatocyte transplantation. In this study, hepatectomy exceeding 90% was lethal and did not respond to the supportive measures provided. Hepatocyte transplantation and testosterone pretreatment, both therapies which are thought to increase regeneration, were ineffective in improving survival in this resection model.

Non-toxicity of IV Injected Perfluorocarbon Oxygen Carrier in an Animal Model of Liver Regeneration Following Surgical Injury

“…to a liver/BW ratio of 3.5, is 7-8 days. This duration is in agreement with prior experience with this surgical model [18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

“…As per the protocol first described by Higgins and Andersen in 1931 [18][19][20][21][22][23], 3/4 liver resections were carried out (on day 0) on one half (N = 24) of the animals. Briefly, while the animals were under isoflurane anesthesia, a midline incision was made, followed by complete liberation of all liver ligaments to allow the ligation of the pedicles of the median and left lateral lobes i.e.…”

“…This model emulates a seriously compromised liver, with failure in the beginning followed by progressive regeneration. Several previous studies have established that 100 % of such animals will recover [18][19][20][21][22][23]. Thus, the purpose of these experiments was, by using an animal model, to investigate the effects of IV administered PFOB on the recovery of a liver failure patient.…”

Heterotopic Auxiliary Rat Liver Transplantation With Flow-regulated Portal Vein Arterialization in Acute Hepatic Failure

“…This technique was first described by Emond, it is standardized and shows no side effects on other organ systems or on the graft. 7 In 2002, Palmes published the APOLT technique in the rat with a survival rate of 70-80 %, the animals were sacrificed after two weeks. 19 In this model the left lobe of the graft was transplanted after resection of the left lobe of the native liver.…”

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Improves Liver Regeneration and Survival after 90% Hepatectomy in a Rat Model of Diet-Induced Steatosis

“…Rats underwent 90% liver resection under inhalation anesthesia with isoflurane (Curamed Pharma GmbH, Germany) using the method described by Emond et al [20]. Briefly, a midline abdominal incision was performed.…”