Development of an Animal Model of Fibrous Cholangitis in Pigs

Abstract

Administration of DITC to domestic pigs in early pregnancy may induce histopathological patterns of fibrous cholangitis to their offspring imitating biliary atresia. This model may provide insight to the pathogenesis of the obstructive cholangitis in pigs.

Towards a model of biliary atresia - Pilot feasibility study in newborn piglets

“…Current animal models can be categorized as 1) surgical bile duct ligation (BDL), 2) experimental viral infections, or 3) toxin induced. In a recent study Garrido et al induced biliary atresia-like symptoms in rats with induced surgical bile duct ligation [ 8 ] and Lainakis et al suggests that administration of 1,4 phenylene-diisothiocyanate to sows in early pregnancy, induces fibrous cholangitis in the offspring [ 9 ]. However, none of the currently available models accurately reflects the clinical condition of biliary atresia seen in infants.…”

Development of an in vivo swine model of biliary dilatation‐based direct peroral cholangioscopy

“…However, direct visualization of the status of the bile duct after application of devices in vivo is not possible in any animal model. To date, fluoroscopy or surgical specimen obtained by necropsy has been used in evaluation of the efficacy or safety of biliary devices . However, the results measured by fluoroscopy are indirect, and may not reflect the real situation of the bile duct, and, because the animal should be killed to obtain the specimen, estimation of the long‐term effect of endoscopic devices is not possible with a surgical specimen.…”

“…To date, fluoroscopy or surgical specimen obtained by necropsy has been used in evaluation of the efficacy or safety of biliary devices. 5,6 However, the results measured by fluoroscopy are indirect, and may not reflect the real situation of the bile duct, and, because the animal should be killed to obtain the specimen, estimation of the long-term effect of endoscopic devices is not possible with a surgical specimen. Therefore, another animal model and evaluation tool that can complement the traditional instrument for evaluation is needed.…”