Original Articles
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1998. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 15, 1998; 4(5): 415-417
Published online Oct 15, 1998. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v4.i5.415
Study of portal vein embolization with absolute ethanol injection in cirrhotic rats
Ming-De Lu, Yiao-Yu Yin, Wei Ren
Ming-De Lu, Yiao-Yu Yin, Wei Ren, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
Ming-De Lu, male, born on 1951-03-25 in Hunan Province, graduated from Sun Yat-Sen University and earned Doctoral Degree (DMSc) from Kyushuo University (Japan), now professor and director of Department of Surgery, majoring hepatobiliary surgery, having 70 papers published.
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Ming-De Lu, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
Telephone: +86-20-87755766 ext 8599 Fax: +86-20-87750632
Received: May 6, 1998
Revised: June 23, 1998
Accepted: July 26, 1998
Published online: October 15, 1998
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effects of portal vein embolization (PVE) with absolute ethanol injection on the cirrhotic livers.

METHODS: Absolute ethanol was injected intraportally into normal and cirrhotic SD rats and the changes of the animals in anatomy, pathology, liver function as well as portal hemodynamics were observed.

RESULTS: At a dose of 0.05mL/ 100g of ethanol, the survival rate was 100% in normal rats compared with 40.9% in cirrhotic rats. PVE in the cirrhotic rats with 0.03 mL/100 g of ethanol, caused significant hypertrophy in non-embolized lobes, mild or moderate damage to the hepatic parenchyma, slight and transient alterations in liver function, portal pressure and portal flow.

CONCLUSION: PVE with absolute ethanol injection in the setting of liver cirrhosis could be safe at an appropriate dose, and precautions aimed at preserving liver function were preferable.

Keywords: liver cirrhosis/therapy; embolization, therapeutic; absolute ethanol; portal vein; hemodynamics