A comparative study of the effect of irreversible electroporation and radiofrequency ablation on rat liver neovascularization

Abstract

Objective To investigate the difference of hepatic microvessel density, neovascularization of regenerating liver tissue after ablation of two ways of irreversible electroporation and radiofrequency ablation in rats. Methods 90 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, including the control group (n=30), the irreversible electroporation group (n=30) and the radiofrequency ablation group (n=30). 3, 7 and 10 days were executed after the operation and draw material, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and CD34 in tissue was studied by immunohistochemistry, and the microvascular density of tissue and VEGF positive cells were measured. Results The microvascular density of 3, 7 and 10 days in the control group was 50.3±12.5, 54.6±11.9 and 58.2±14.7, the microvascular density of the radiofrequency ablation group was 18.4±4.7, 17.3±5.1 and 18.1±5.9, respectively. The microvascular density of the irreversible electroporation group was 42.8±10.4, 45.6±10.2 and 49.2±13.8, respectively. The positive cells of VEGF in control group was 50, 56 and 57 at 3, 7 and 10 days, and 32, 30 and 33 at 3, 7 and 10 days in radiofrequency ablation group, 44, 43 and 45 at 3, 7 and 10 days in irreversible electroporation group; expression of VEGF and CD34 in 3, 7, 10 d and the microvascular density of ablation area in radiofrequency ablation group was significantly lower than those in control group after irreversible electroporation and radiofrequency ablation. No significant differences were found between irreversible electroporation group and control group. Conclusion The irreversible electroporation can effectively protect the microvessels in the ablation area, ensure the tissue’s blood supply after the ablation, and provide a guarantee for the repair and regeneration of the tissue. Key words: Liver; Ablation techniques; Electroporation; Neovascularization