Ex Vivo Hepatic Perfusion Through the Portal Vein in Mouse

Summary

The protocol describes a straightforward method of resectioning an intact mouse liver for metabolic studies through portal vein perfusion.

Abstract

Metabolic diseases such as diabetes, pre-diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are becoming increasingly common. Ex vivo liver perfusions allow for a comprehensive analysis of liver metabolism using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), in nutritional conditions that can be rigorously controlled. As in silico simulations remain a primarily theoretical means of assessing hormone actions and the effects of pharmaceutical intervention, the perfused liver remains one of the most valuable test beds for understanding hepatic metabolism. As these studies guide basic insights into hepatic physiology, results must be accurate and reproducible. The greatest factor in the reproducibility of ex vivo hepatic perfusion is the quality of surgery. Therefore, we have introduced an organized and streamlined method to perform ex vivo mouse liver perfusions in the context of in situ NMR experiments. We also describe a unique application and discuss common issues encountered in these studies. The overall purpose is to provide an uncomplicated guide to a technique we have refined over several years that we deem the golden standard for obtaining reproducible results in hepatic resections and perfusions in the context of in situ NMR experiments. The distance to the center of the field for the magnet as well as the inaccessibility of the tissue to intervention during the NMR experiment makes our methods novel.

Introduction

Ex vivo perfusions are crucial in the study of hepatic metabolism, and perfusion through the portal vein is the standard for these studies. In order to study hepatic metabolism in isolation, the liver must be resected from the body to avoid complications arising from metabolism in other organs (i.e., whole-body metabolism) and to exert control over hormone availability (insulin, glucagon, etc.). This approach can be essential for understanding the effects of diseases such as diabetes, NAFLD, and NASH on hepatic metabolism as well as mechanisms of drug action. This article serves as a guide to hepatic resection and perfusion. We have developed a streamlined pr....

Protocol

Experiments involving mice were handled in compliance with the University of Florida Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (protocol number #201909320). The mouse strain used was C57BL/6J; all mice were male. This method is generally applicable for studies using other standard mouse strains as well. This surgery is optimally performed by two individuals working together.

1. Initial set-up

1. Perfuse livers with perfusate containing Krebs-Henseleit electrolytes

Discussion

This surgical procedure is challenging and requires extensive practice to achieve reproducible results. Isoflurane and carrier gas should be adjusted as needed to maintain the viability of the animal through as much of the surgical procedure as possible. Environment, time of day, age, weight, and several other factors will affect anesthesia. Weight, diet, strain of mice and age could affect surgery as fat buildup can interfere with visualizing the portal vein. When taping the paws down, care must be taken to not apply an.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
1 mL Luer-Lock Single Use Sterile Disposable Syringe	N/A	N/A	Non-specific Brand
100 cm Water Jacketed Glass Column	N/A	N/A	Custom Made
2-0 Silk Suture	Braintree Scientific	N/A
22 Gauge Catherter 1 in. Without Safety	Terumo	SRFF2225
23 G 0.75 in. Hypodemeric Needles	Exel International	26407
27 G 1.5 in. Hypodemeric Needles	Exel International	26426
4x4 in. Surgical Platform	N/A	N/A	Custom Made
70% Alcohol Wipe	N/A	N/A	Non-specific Brand
Circulating Water Bath	MS Lauda	N/A	Model no longer manufactured
Cotton Tip Applicator	N/A	N/A	Non-specific Brand
Delicate Operating Scissors; Straight; Sharp-Sharp; 30mm Blade Length; 4 3/4 "	Roboz	RS-6702
Dumont #5/45 Forceps	Fine Scientific Tools	11251-35
Dumont #7 - Fine Forceps	Fine Scientific Tools	11274-20
Hemostats	Fine Scientific Tools	13015-14
Heparin Sodium Injectable 1000 units/mL	RX Generics	71288-0402-02
Isoflurane	Patterson Veterinary	14043-0704-06
Lidocaine HCl 2%	VEDCO Inc.	50989-0417-12
Membrane-Thin-Layer Oxygenator	Radnoti	N/A
Metzenbaum Scissors; Curved; Blunt; 27 mm Blade Length; 5 "	Roboz	RS-6013
Oxygen Meter System	Hanstech Instruments Ltd.	N/A
Saline 0.9% Solution	N/A	N/A	Saline is made in lab
Scale	N/A	N/A	Non-specific Brand
Variable Speed Analog Console Pump Systems	Cole Palmer	N/A	Models are custom per application
Weigh boats	N/A	N/A	Non-specific Brand