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Am J Transl Res 2013;5(3):269-278
Original Article
Invasive catheterization of the hepatic artery for preclinical
investigation of liver-directed therapies in rodent models of liver
cancer
Alexander Y Sheu, Zhuoli Zhang, Reed A Omary, Andrew C Larson
Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of
Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science,
Evanston, IL, USA; Department of Radiology & Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center,
Nashville, TN, USA
Received March 28, 2013; Accepted April 12, 2013; Epub April 19, 2013; Published April 30, 2013
Abstract: Purpose: This study demonstrated invasive and reproducible hepatic artery catheterization in rats. A
rigorously documented guide and pictorial essay describes the performance of an invasive hepatic artery
catheterization technique suitable for the study of liver-targeted interventional procedures in rodent models of liver
cancer. The goal was to produce a well-illustrated guide to hepatic artery catheterization under direct visualization
via the gastroduodenal artery (GDA). Materials and Methods: 20 Sprague Dawley rats were inoculated with
McA-RH7777 HCC cells in the left lateral liver lobe. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure
tumor growth. Catheter placement in the hepatic artery proper was performed by entry through the GDA under
direct visualization after laparotomy. Digital subtraction angiography confirmed catheter placement in the hepatic
artery proper. Antegrade blood flow to the liver was restored after catheter removal. Rats were euthanized after
procedures; livers were harvested for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results: 85.0% of inoculated
animals developed measurable tumors on MRI; average tumor size was 6.3 ± 2.3 mm × 4.3 ± 1.5 mm (mean ±
SD). 94.1% of animals with tumors were successfully catheterized. H&E staining demonstrated tumor growth in
all inoculated animals, including those with no measurable tumors on MRI. Conclusion: Invasive catheter
placement in the hepatic artery of a rodent model of HCC can be performed reproducibly according to the
techniques described in this tutorial. These catheterization techniques are ideal for a broad range of preclinical IR
studies intending to evaluate the efficacy of intra-arterial therapies for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver
tumors. (AJTR1303009).
Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), rodent model, McA-RH7777, intra-arterial (IA), catheterization
Address correspondence to: Dr. Andrew C Larson, Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg
School of Medicine, 737 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL, USA. Phone: 312-926-3499; Fax:
312-926-5991; E-mail: a-larson@northwestern.edu
Original Article
Invasive catheterization of the hepatic artery for preclinical
investigation of liver-directed therapies in rodent models of liver
cancer
Alexander Y Sheu, Zhuoli Zhang, Reed A Omary, Andrew C Larson
Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of
Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science,
Evanston, IL, USA; Department of Radiology & Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center,
Nashville, TN, USA
Received March 28, 2013; Accepted April 12, 2013; Epub April 19, 2013; Published April 30, 2013
Abstract: Purpose: This study demonstrated invasive and reproducible hepatic artery catheterization in rats. A
rigorously documented guide and pictorial essay describes the performance of an invasive hepatic artery
catheterization technique suitable for the study of liver-targeted interventional procedures in rodent models of liver
cancer. The goal was to produce a well-illustrated guide to hepatic artery catheterization under direct visualization
via the gastroduodenal artery (GDA). Materials and Methods: 20 Sprague Dawley rats were inoculated with
McA-RH7777 HCC cells in the left lateral liver lobe. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure
tumor growth. Catheter placement in the hepatic artery proper was performed by entry through the GDA under
direct visualization after laparotomy. Digital subtraction angiography confirmed catheter placement in the hepatic
artery proper. Antegrade blood flow to the liver was restored after catheter removal. Rats were euthanized after
procedures; livers were harvested for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results: 85.0% of inoculated
animals developed measurable tumors on MRI; average tumor size was 6.3 ± 2.3 mm × 4.3 ± 1.5 mm (mean ±
SD). 94.1% of animals with tumors were successfully catheterized. H&E staining demonstrated tumor growth in
all inoculated animals, including those with no measurable tumors on MRI. Conclusion: Invasive catheter
placement in the hepatic artery of a rodent model of HCC can be performed reproducibly according to the
techniques described in this tutorial. These catheterization techniques are ideal for a broad range of preclinical IR
studies intending to evaluate the efficacy of intra-arterial therapies for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver
tumors. (AJTR1303009).
Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), rodent model, McA-RH7777, intra-arterial (IA), catheterization
Address correspondence to: Dr. Andrew C Larson, Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg
School of Medicine, 737 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL, USA. Phone: 312-926-3499; Fax:
312-926-5991; E-mail: a-larson@northwestern.edu
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