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Hemodynamic Assessment of the Development of Portal-Systemic Collaterals in Portal Hypertensive Rats

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Abstract

Background

Portal hypertension induced the formation of portal-systemic collaterals. Revealing the developmental change of portal-systemic collaterals is important for future therapy.

Methods

We observed the evolution of an accessible shunting vessel, the spleno-renal shunt (SRS), in rats after induction of portal hypertension by partial portal vein ligation (PVL). The hemodynamic and histological assessments of SRS were performed by transit time ultrasound and immunohistochemical studies.

Results

The portal pressure of PVL rats surged to 16.5 ± 1.1 mmHg on day 1 after ligation surgery and was maintained at a significantly higher level (13.0 ± 0.4 mmHg) to day 14 when compared to sham rats (p < 0.05). The size or flow of SRS in PVL rats did not change immediately after portal pressure surge. Instead, they increased rapidly on day 4, peaked on day 7, and stabilized thereafter. The size and flow were greater and the resistance of SRS was lower in PVL rats after day 7 (p < 0.05). The anti-Ki67 immunohistochemical study demonstrated positive staining of endothelium in SRS and negative in portal vein or aorta of PVL rats. In addition, the endothelial cells of SRS were stained positive for CD31 and KLF5.

Conclusions

We concluded that the pressure-induced opening of pre-existing vessels was not the primary underlying mechanism in the formation of SRS. Endothelial proliferating and vascular remodeling process participated actively during the development of SRS. These observations can be used for studying the pathogenesis and developing more effective anti-portal hypertensive therapy in the future.

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Abbreviations

TTU:

Transit time ultrasound

SRS:

Spleno-renal shunt

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Chun-Ching Tai, Shwu-Ling Wu, and I-Nien Lai for their excellent technical assistance. This work was supported by grants from Taipei Veterans General Hospital (VGH 97B1-014), Taiwan.

Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors has conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Sec 2, Shih-Pai Road, Beitou District, Taipei city, Taiwan 112, Republic of China

    Che-Chang Chan, Ling-Yi Cheng, Fa-Yauh Lee & Han-Chieh Lin

  2. Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Fa-Yauh Lee

  3. Clinical Institute of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Che-Chang Chan

  4. Taipei Physical Education College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Shiow-Chwen Tsai

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  1. Che-Chang Chan
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  2. Shiow-Chwen Tsai
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Correspondence to Che-Chang Chan.

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Chan, CC., Tsai, SC., Cheng, LY. et al. Hemodynamic Assessment of the Development of Portal-Systemic Collaterals in Portal Hypertensive Rats. Dig Dis Sci 56, 417–424 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-010-1302-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-010-1302-6

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