Published online Mar 14, 2024. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i10.1420
Peer-review started: October 17, 2023
First decision: January 15, 2024
Revised: January 17, 2024
Accepted: February 21, 2024
Article in press: February 21, 2024
Published online: March 14, 2024
Processing time: 149 Days and 12.7 Hours
Various animal models have been used to explore the pathogenesis of choledochal cysts (CCs), but with little convincing results. Current surgical techniques can achieve satisfactory outcomes for treatment of CCs. Consequently, recent studies have focused more on clinical issues rather than basic research. Therefore, we need appropriate animal models to further basic research.
To establish an appropriate animal model that may contribute to the investigation of the pathogenesis of CCs.
Eighty-four specific pathogen-free female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to a surgical group, sham surgical group, or control group. A rat model of CC was established by partial ligation of the bile duct. The reliability of the model was confirmed by measurements of serum biochemical indices, morpho
Dilation classified as mild (diameter, ≥ 1 mm to < 3 mm), moderate (≥ 3 mm to < 10 mm), and severe (≥ 10 mm) was observed in 17, 17, and 2 rats in the surgical group, respectively, while no dilation was observed in the control and sham surgical groups. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and total bile acids were significantly elevated in the surgical group as compared to the control group 7 d after surgery, while direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, and gamma-glutamyltransferase were further increased 14 d after surgery. Most of the biochemical indices gradually decreased to normal ranges 28 d after surgery. The protein expression trend of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in rat model was consistent with the human CC tissues.
The model of partial ligation of the bile duct of juvenile rats could morphologically simulate the cystic or fusiform CC, which may contribute to investigating the pathogenesis of CC.
Core Tip: Recent studies have focused more on clinical issues rather than etiology and pathogenesis of choledochal cyst (CC). In this study, our partial ligation of the bile duct of juvenile rats successfully simulated the pathological processes of recanalization after incomplete obstruction of the distal bile duct. The postoperative disease progression of this model was more consistent with the natural course of CC formation which may assist in further basic research on the pathogenesis of CC.