A comparison between two animal models of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To establish and evaluate two rat models of portal hypertension induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and bile duct ligation (BDL). Methods 12 rats were randomly divided into CCl₄-induced liver injured group and a control group (N=6 in each group). Another 12 rats were divided into a BDL model group and a sham operation group (N=6 in each group). Portal pressures were measured and the liver and spleen tissue samples were taken at 4w, 8w, and 12w after the treatments. Rats in the model groups were compared with relative control groups and analyzed for general conditions, portal pressure, gross specimen changes, pathological morphologies, body mass, liver wet weight, and spleen wet weight. Normal distributed data are expressed as “mean±standard deviation”, and t test is used for the comparison between two groups. Results The major changes of livers in the CCl₄ model group were liver lobular deformation and adhesion. Fibrous septa and pseudolobules were observed as the pathological manifestation of liver parenchyma. In BDL model group, the shape of the liver lobes was still preserved, the livers were dark brown, and bile duct hyperplasia was the major pathological manifestation. In terms of the formation of portal hypertension, the portal pressure of rats in CCl₄ model group showed a gradual increase and significantly higher than that of the control group at 8w and 12w of CCl₄ treatment (P<0.05). The portal pressure of rats in BDL model group showed a short-term rapid increase, and significantly higher than those of the sham operation group at 4w, 8w, and 12w after BDL (P<0.05). Among the body mass, liver wet weight, and spleen wet weight, the increase of spleen wet weight is in consistent with that of portal pressure. The spleen weight of the rats of CCl₄ model group also gradually increased. The spleen weight of rats in the BDL model group was significantly higher than that of the sham operation group at 4w, and statistically different from those in the sham operation group at 8w and 12w after BDL (P<0.05). Conclusion There were differences in the formation of portal hypertension between two rat models of portal hypertension induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and bile duct ligation (BDL). The study provides an experimental basis for further understanding of portal hypertension.

Key words: Portal Hypertension, Liver cirrhosis, Animal Models, Bile duct ligation, Carbon tetrachloride

HU Dou-dou, REN Wan-lei, QIU Sha, JIANG Xiang-jun. A comparison between two animal models of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2021, 26(7): 732-736.

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