ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous transauricular artery access for hepatic artery catheterization using a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) device and hepatic artery catheterization through auricular approach. Methods: Ten New Zealand White rabbits were used to establish a VX2 liver tumor model. Hepatic artery angiography and embolization were performed 3 weeks after inoculation. The rabbits were restrained in supine position under anesthesia. Intra-arterial access was accomplished with percutaneous Seldinger technique through the auricular artery using a PICC device. The hepatic artery catheterization was performed with a microcatheter and guide wire. The rate of technical success and procedure time was investigated. Results: Two rabbits failed initial percutaneous transauricular arterial access, with success in a contralateral attempt. Thus, percutaneous transauricular arterial access was achieved in 10 of 12 auricular arteries, with a technical success rate of 83.3%. The time needed to obtain intra-auricular access was 7.2 ± 3.1 min. Hepatic artery catheterization, angiography, and embolization were accomplished through the auricular approach in all 10 rabbits. Conclusion: Arterial access in rabbits can be achieved through the auricular artery. Hepatic artery catheterization, angiography, and embolization can be performed through auricular arterial access
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the mechanism of 125I seed interstitial implantation-induced apoptosis of liver VX2 tumor cells in experimental rabbits, and to compare the effects of different radioactivity 125I seeds on the apoptosis and on the proliferation of tumor cells. Methods A total of 24 rabbit models with VX2 liver cancer were randomly and equally divided into 3 groups, and 125I seeds with different initial radioactivity were separately implanted into the rabbits of the three groups. 125I seeds of 0 mCi radioactivity were used in the control group (n=8), 125I seeds of 0.7 mCi radioactivity were used in the 0.7 mCi group (n=8) and 125I seeds of 1.0 mCi radioactivity were used in the 1.0 mCi group (n=8). The experimental rabbits were sacrificed at 5 weeks after the implantation; the tumor lesions were removed, and the effects of 125I seeds on the apoptosis and proliferation of tumor cells were determined. The tumor cell apoptosis rate, tumor growth-related factors, tumor growth factor expression protein and the influence of caspase-3 activity were evaluated. Results Regardless of their initial radioactivity, all the 125I seeds could make the tumor cell apoptosis rate increased, make Bcl-2 and VEGF expression level decreased, and make Bax expression increased, which were more obvious in 1.0 mCi group (P0.05). Conclusion The implanted 125I seeds can not only inhibit tumor’s growth through inducing apoptosis of tumor cells, but also inhibit tumor’s angiogenesis through influencing the expression of apoptosis-related gene and coding protein.