title: Novel Rat Model of Repetitive Portal Venous Embolization Mimicking Human Non-Cirrhotic Idiopathic Portal Hypertension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-cirrhotic idiopathic portal hypertension (NCIPH) is characterized by splenomegaly, anemia and portal hypertension, while liver function is preserved. However, no animal models have been established yet. This study assessed a rat model of NCIPH and characterized the hemodynamics, and compared it to human NCIPH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Portal pressure (PP) was measured invasively and coloured microspheres were injected in the ileocecal vein in rats. This procedure was performed weekly for 3 weeks (weekly embolization). Rats without and with single embolization served as controls. After four weeks (one week after last embolization), hemodynamics were investigated, hepatic fibrosis and accumulation of myofibroblasts were analysed. General characteristics, laboratory analyses and liver histology were collected in patients with NCIPH.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weekly embolization induced a hyperdynamic circulation, with increased PP. The mesenteric flow and hepatic hydroxyproline content was significantly higher in weekly embolized compared to single embolized rats (mesenteric flow +54.1%, hydroxyproline +41.7%). Mesenteric blood flow and shunt volumes increased, whereas splanchnic vascular resistance was decreased in the weekly embolization group. Fibrotic markers αSMA and Desmin were upregulated in weekly embolized rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study establishes a model using repetitive embolization via portal veins, comparable with human NCIPH and may serve to test new therapies.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors: Sabine
authors: S
authors: Klein
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Hinüber
authors: Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors: Kanishka
authors: K
authors: Hittatiya
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Schierwagen
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors: Frank Erhard
authors: FE
authors: Uschner
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors: Christian P
authors: CP
authors: Strassburg
authors: Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors: Hans-Peter
authors: HP
authors: Fischer
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors: Ulrich
authors: U
authors: Spengler
authors: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.|Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors: Jonel
authors: J
authors: Trebicka
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000071063:Endoglin / Q000378:metabolism; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery / Q000098:blood supply; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000071063:Endoglin; C498862:Acta2 protein, rat