A novel rat model simulating biliary atresia after a Kasai operation.
OBJECTIVE
The mechanisms of liver fibrosis in biliary atresia (BA) after a Kasai operation deserve studying to improve the clinical outcomes. This study aimed to create a rat model simulating BA after a Kasai operation.


METHODS
We inserted a polyethylene tube (PE10) into the common hepatic duct (CHD) and ligated the common bile duct (CBD) in 30 newborn rats and injected 95% ethanol into IHD at postoperative week-one (POW-1). The PE10 was removed at POW-3. The rats were sacrificed at POW-5. The CBD cystojejunostomy was performed on another 10 rats at POW-5.


RESULTS
The IHD obliteration and CBD dilatation were noted at POW-3 cholangiography before removal of the PE tube. The gross findings at sacrifice in the rats without cystojejunostomy included biliary fibrosis, CBD cyst, and IHD obliteration. The microscopic findings of the liver were like BA. Seven of the 10 rats with CBD cystojejunostomy were jaundice-free at POW-8. The fibrosis grade at POW-8 of the rats with CBD cystojejunostomy was significantly lower in the jaundice-free rats (Ishak fibrosis score, 3.4 ± 0.9 and 1.5 ± 0.3 in the jaundiced rats and jaundice-free rats, respectively, p < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our study, CBD cystojejunostomy five weeks after CBD ligation with ethanol injection into the IHD in newborn rats can provide a model for investigating mechanisms and treatments of liver fibrosis in BA after a Kasai operation.
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University, School of Medicine , Taipei , Taiwan.
Jen-Bin
JB
Wang
Chinsu
C
Liu
Yi-Chen
YC
Yeh
Chia-Pei
CP
Liu
Chun-Ju
CJ
Chang
Cheng-Yen
CY
Chen
Taiwai
T
Chin
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D002758:Cholangiography; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley