Animal models
To reproduce hepatic encephalopathy pathology, various animal models were developed. Among those, 2 surgical rat models recapitulate many characteristics of chronic illness.
PCA (portocaval anastomosis)
Portocaval anastomosis is a surgical act by which the systematic circulation is diverting out of the liver. The blood coming from intestines enters by the liver via portal vein, is detoxified and go out by hepatic veins to feed all body's organs. To remove liver contribution of the liver of circulation, portal vein is ligated and suture it to inferior vena cava.
BDL (bile-duct ligation)
Bile-duct ligation is a surgery causing a destruction of the liver.
Bile, normally evacuated by the bile duct, is forced back towards liver. The bile's toxicity leads , causing death or dysfonction of hepatic cells.
Note: All experimental protocols and animal manipulations were approved by the Comité Institutionnel de protection des animaux (CIPA) du CHUM, leaning on the guidelines of Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), and are performed by skilled persons.
Cerveau
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