Assessment and histological analysis of the IPRL technique for sequential in situ liver biopsy

Anthony Rowe,Azmena Hussain,Filip Braet,Iqbal Ramzan,Lillian Zhang

doi:10.1186/1476-5926-10-7

Abstract

BackgroundThe isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL) is a technique used in a wide range of liver studies. Typically livers are assessed at treatment end point. Techniques have been described to biopsy liver in the live rat and post-hepatectomy.ResultsThis paper describes a technique for obtaining two full and one partial lobe biopsies from the liver in situ during an IPRL experiment. Our approach of retaining the liver in situ assists in minimising liver capsule damage, and consequent leakage of perfusate, maintains the normal anatomical position of the liver during perfusion and helps to keep the liver warm and moist. Histological results from sequential lobe biopsies in control perfusions show that cytoplasmic vacuolation of hepatocytes is a sign of liver deterioration, and when it occurs it commences as a diffuse pattern which tends to develop a circumscribed, centrilobular pattern as perfusion progresses.ConclusionsLiver lobe biopsies obtained using this method can be used to study temporal effects of drug treatments and are suitable for light and electron microscopy, and biochemical analyses.

Highlights

The isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL) is a technique used in a wide range of liver studies
A loop of 4/0 silk is placed around the pedicle of the superior caudate lobe and left untied (Figure 1C)
A loop of 4/0 silk is placed around the pedicle of the inferior caudate lobe (ICL) which is tied (Figure 1D), this lobe is excised with scissors (Figure 2A)

Summary

Introduction

The isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL) is a technique used in a wide range of liver studies. Techniques have been described to biopsy liver in the live rat and posthepatectomy. The isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL) is a well characterised model which is commonly used to study the biology and pathobiology of the liver in various experimental settings [1,2,3]. Lobe biopsy techniques have been described using microsurgical techniques in live rats [9,10], and in perfused rat livers post hepatectomy [11]. We describe an uncomplicated technique for obtaining two full and one partial liver lobe biopsy from liver in situ during an IPRL experiment, and corresponding control histological results. The histological architecture of the rat liver under these conditions is discussed

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Discussion

Conclusion