Portacaval shunt control animals: physiological consequences derived from the sham operation

Abstract

SummaryThe portacaval shunt in the rat is a frequently used experimental model of porto systemic encephalopathy. Among other consequences of this surgical preparation is an important decrease in hepatic and testicular volume. Different sham-operation methods including a laparotomy were used as controls in each case. Given that the liver volume varies greatly in comparison to body weight in the sham-operated animals, this paper aims to evaluate the possible consequences of the sham operation. It concludes that control animals without manipulation, in addition to the respective controls of portacaval shunt, should be used in every case.

A half century (1961-2011) of applying microsurgery to experimental liver research

“…To study these portacaval shunt experimental models, sham-operated rats are usually used as a control. The sham operation consists of portal vein clamping during a similar period of time to that of the portacaval shunt [57] .…”

Chronic Portal Hypertension in the Rat by Triple-Portal Stenosing Ligation

“…Decrease in the relative weight of the testis for each 100 g of body weight has been also described in rats with a portocaval shunt, although in these cases the body-weight increase positively correlates to lower testicular atrophy [19]. The body-weight increase with hepatomegaly in SPVS as well as in TPVS rats suggests the existence of liver steatosis associated to obesity [20,21].…”

“…Also, at 60 days of evolution after clamping of portal vein for 15 min and clamping of portal vein for 5 min in rats, a decrease in the relative weight of the testis for each 100 g of body weight has also been found [19]. These results make it possible to hypothesize that both acute and chronic alterations secondary to portal hypertension could re ect the existence of a long-term systemic response, which would also be heterogeneous, especially in chronic portal hypertension.…”

Bacterial Translocation to Mesenteric Lymph Nodes Increases in Chronic Portal Hypertensive Rats

“…Both factors could be involved in the production of bacterial translocation at 48 h of postoperative evolution in SO rats, although they could also pathologically affect the intestinal permeability in the long term. We have previously found that the temporal portal clamp (5-15 min) of the portal vein in the rat reduces body, testicular and hepatic weights, and continues at 60 days of postoperative evolution [61].…”