Experimental methods in hepatology. Guidelines of the German Association for the Study of the Liver (GASL). Liver perfusion--technique and applications.

Perfused rat liver is a well-established model for studies on hepatic metabolism. The different perfusion systems, the technical requirements and the surgical preparation steps are described. A main advantage of liver perfusion is the maintenance of liver architecture-rendering it a feasible model for the study of interactions between parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells. Furthermore, steady-state conditions allow the calculation of metabolic flux rates and the reversibility of agonist-induced effects can be studied within the same preparation. As the polarity of the cells is maintained, sinusoidal uptake, metabolism and biliary excretion of substances can be studied. Some applications of liver perfusion and special techniques are described, the advantages specified and the limitations of this model discussed. Due to recent developments in monitoring of liver hemodynamics, extracellular ion concentrations and changes of liver cell volume, liver perfusion is one of the best-controlled experimental systems in the study of hepatic physiology.