A Simple Method for Orthotopic Liver Transplantation in the Rat Cuff Technique for Three Vascular Anastomoses

The orthotopic liver transplant model in rats has been very useful for immunological studies. However, differing opinions exist as to whether rearterialization of the graft is necessary for such experiments. Therefore, in this study we evaluted the short-term allograft function when rearterialized was compared to restored venous portal flow only and in situ hepatic artery ligation. The technique of orthotopic liver transplantation in the rat with and without rearterialization of the graft is described in detail. In addition, we evaluated the technical feasibility of sutured vascular anastomosis as compared to the traditional cuff technique. Urea synthesis rate was used as a sensitive marker of integrated liver function, including uptake, synthesis and excretion. Standard liver test of bilirubin, plasma aspergine aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were measured. We found no significant differences in the biochemical markers between allografts with portal venous flow only compared to the combination with arterial flow. Autopsy was performed after the biochemical studies at day 14. Histopathological analyses revealed no differences between the two groups of transplanted rats. The patency of sutured anastomoses was in our hands found to be superior to that of the cuff technique, with a success rate of more than 90% in rats with portal venous flow. This rat model in which vascular anastomosis is performed with a running suture technique and without rearterialization seems to be excellent for short-term studies of preservation and liver function after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 63%

Effect of Rearterialization on Short-Term Graft Function in Orthotopic Rat Liver Transplantation

Svensson

Aldenborg²,

Karlberg³

1991

“…Graft rearterialization was not performed. The three-cuff method, developed by Miyata et al [16], did not achieve the same popularity, because of technical difficulties and high complication rates.…”

Section: Technical Evolution Of Rat Olt and P-olt Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Research Practice in Rat Orthotopic and Partial Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: A Review, Recommendation, and Publication Guide

Czigány

Iwasaki²,

Yagi³

et al. 2015

Background: Due to a worldwide shortage of donor organs for liver transplantation, alternative approaches, such as split and living donor liver transplantations, were introduced to increase the donor pool and reduce mortality on liver transplant waiting lists. Numerous details concerning the mechanisms and pathophysiology of liver regeneration, small-for-size syndrome, rejection, and tolerance in partial liver transplantation facilitated the development of various animal models. The high number of preclinical animal studies contributed enormously to our understanding of many clinical aspects of living donor and partial liver transplantations. Summary: Microsurgical rat models of partial orthotopic liver transplantation are well established and widely used. Nevertheless, several issues regarding this procedure are controversial, not clarified, or not yet properly standardized (graft rearterialization, size reduction techniques, etc.). The major aim of this literature review is to give the reader a current overview of rat orthotopic liver transplantation models with a special focus on partial liver transplantation. The aspects of model evolution, microsurgical training, and different technical problems are analyzed and discussed in detail. Our further aim in this paper is to elaborate a detailed publication guide in order to improve the quality of reporting in the field of rat liver transplantation according to the ARRIVE guidelines and the 3R principle. Key Messages: Partial orthotopic liver transplantation in rats is an indispensable, reliable, and cost-efficient model for transplantation research. A certain consensus on different technical issues and a significant improvement in scientific reporting are essential to improve transparency and comparability in this field as well as to foster refinement.

“…Kamada and Caine [4] have first de scribed the use of cuff anastomoses of the por tal vein and infrahepatic IVC and a suture 299 technique for the suprahepatic IVC. Others have described a model where the suprahe patic IVC may also be anastomosed using a cuff anastomosis, but, due to the short length of vessel, such a procedure requires the per formance of a partial hepatectomy which in creases the risk of bleeding [14], Secondly, we have used the technique for graft rearterialization that has been initially described by Lee and co-workers [2] and perfected by Engemann [3], We chose this technique for graft rearterialization as the blood flow to other vascular beds remains undisturbed, and thus whole-body haemodynamics most closely ap proximate physiological conditions. Other techniques for graft rearterialization include: (1) following a nephrectomy, an end-to-end anastomosis between the donor celiac artery and the renal artery of the recipient [6]: (2) a 'sleeve' anastomosis between the donor and recipient hepatic arteries [8], and (3) an anas tomosis between the celiac arteries of the do nor and recipient (this entails ligation of the splenic artery in the recipient) [15], In our operation, several modifications to the original methods have been introduced.…”

Section: Operative Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%

Orthotopic Liver Transplantation in the Rat: Comparison of Models with and without Rearterialization of the Graft

Zhao¹,

Wheatley²

1993

A total of 112 orthotopic liver transplants with (AOLT) and without (NOLT) rearterialization were performed in 2 series using male Lewis rats as donors and recipients. In the first series, the 2-week survival rates were 5/11 (45.5%) in the NOLT group and 22/31 (71 %) in the AOLT group. The difference in survival was due to operative experience, as the NOLT transplants were performed before the AOLT transplants. In the second series, the NOLT (n = 30) and AOLT transplants (n = 40) were performed in random order. No differences in 2-week survival rates were found [NOLT, 29/30 (96.7%); AOLT, 37/40 (92.5%)]. Recovery of pre-operative body weight was, however, faster in the AOLT (7 days) than in the NOLT group (14 days). In the NOLT group, elevation of serum levels of GOT (p < 0.05 vs. AOLT at 3 days) and alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.01 vs. AOLT at 3 days and 1 week; p < 0.05 at 4 weeks) were found. We conclude from our results that in OLT without prolonged graft storage, survival is a sensitive marker of operative success only in the training phase. Once operative technique has been mastered, a success rate of greater than 90% should be achieved before inclusion of the animals in further scientific studies. As the AOLT animals recover body weight faster and have less evidence of liver injury up to 4 weeks post-transplantation, one is led to the conclusion that AOLT in the rat may be a better model for use in all liver transplantation research.