Animal models
In order to reproduce hepatic encephalopathy pathology, different animal models have been developed. Among those, 2 surgical rat models encapsulate many characteristics of the illness in its chronic form.
PCA (portocaval anastomosis)
Portocaval anastomosis is a surgical procedure by which systematic circulation is diverted from the liver. Normally, the blood coming from the intestines enters the liver via the portal vein, is detoxified and goes out through the hepatic veins to feed the body's organs. In order to remove the liver's contribution to blood circulation, the portal vein is ligated and sutured to inferior vena cava.
BDL (bile-duct ligation)
Bile-duct ligation is a surgery causing the destruction of the liver.
Bile, normally evacuated by the bile duct, is forced back towards the liver. The bile's toxicity leads to cirrhosis , thus causing death or a dysfonction of the hepatic cells.
Note: All experimental protocols and animal manipulations were approved by the Comité Institutionnel de protection des animaux (CIPA) du CHUM, that follows the guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), and are performed by skilled persons.
Brain
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