Significance Of Arterial Reconstruction On The Model Of 40% Small-for-size Orthotopic Liver Transplantation In Rat

Objective To develop and modify a rat model of alterialized and non-alterialized small-for-size orthotopic liver transplantation and investigate the postoperative liver function and histopathologic changes of the grafts.Methods Modified two-cuff technique was applied to establish a rat model of 40% orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).A total of 96 sprague dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: small-for-size orthotopic liver transplantation with arterial reconstruction group (A group) and small-for-size orthotopic liver transplantation without arterial reconstruction group (B group). One week survival rate ,main indexes of liver function,histology and the expression of the proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of liver graft by immunohistochemical method were detected on the 1st,2nd,4th and 7th day after transplantation, respectively.Results The successful rate of the operation was 100%. The mean time of nonhepatic time and artery anastomosis was (12土2.5)min and 3土1.5min,respectively.One week survival rate of A group and B group was 66.7% and 50.0% respectively (P>0.05).Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TB) began to elevate from the first day and peaked on the second day after surgery. ALT in B group on the fourth and seventh day were higher significantly than those in A group (P<0.05). TB in B group on the second day were higher significantly than those in A group(P<0.01). TB in B group on the seventh day were higher significantly than those in A group(P<0.05).Histological findings indicated that more diploid and polyploid hepatocytes could be seen in A group. The expression of PCNA of liver graft peaked on the 2nd day after surgery. The expression of PCNA of A group was higher on the 1st day and lower on the 7th day than that of B group after operation (P<0.05).Conclusion The model is easily available and highly reproducible ,and the stability of the model is improved by modifying the technique.Arterial reconstruction can improve liver function of liver grafts after small-for-size orthotopic liver transplantation,alleviate the histological changes and promote the regeneration of liver grafts quickly.