Successful hepatic grafting after partial portal vein ligation in the rat: complete reversal of hemodynamic abnormalities.

BACKGROUND

Partial portal vein ligation (PPVL) is an established approach in the study of prehepatic portal hypertension in animals. The effect of orthotopic liver transplants (OLT) on hemodynamics in PPVL animals has not been investigated to date. The aim of this study was to develop a model of OLT in PPVL rats and to investigate its hemodynamic consequences.

METHODS

Three groups of male Lewis rats were investigated (1) control animals (n=7), (2) PPVL (n=9), and (3) PPVL/OLT (n=16). Three weeks after PPVL, 9 animals were taken for hemodynamic measurements. OLT was performed in the remaining 16 PPVL rats (PPVL/OLT), and, 4 weeks later, hemodynamic measurements were made. Blood biochemical analysis was performed at different time points in all 3 groups.

RESULTS

The PPVL animals presented with hyperdynamic systemic circulation, extensive collateral vascularization in the hilar region, and portal-systemic shunting (portal systemic shunting; 35.3+/-5.5%). In the PPVL/OLT group, 15 rats survived for 4 weeks (survival: 93.8%, 15 of 16). Of these PPVL/OLT rats, 3 died during the blood sampling protocol. In 3 PPVL/OLT rats, abnormal liver function and histology were found and deranged systemic and hepatic hemodynamics persisted after OLT. In the remaining 9 PPVL/OLT rats, systemic and hepatic hemodynamics had returned to normal at 4 weeks and portal systemic shunting was markedly reduced (2.5+/-0.9%). Liver function was in the normal range.

CONCLUSIONS

(1) The possibility of performing OLT in PPVL rats with a high rate of survival has been confirmed. (2) In the majority of cases, complete reversal of hemodynamic abnormalities in the PPVL animals occurs after OLT (3). PPVL/OLT represents a new and important model in OLT research.