Tumour growth following portal branch ligation in an experimental model of liver metastases

• Published in: British journal of surgery Vol. 97; no. 6; pp. 917 - 926
• Main Authors: Kollmar, O., Corsten, M., Scheuer, C., Vollmar, B., Schilling, M. K., Menger, M. D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.06.2010; Wiley
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Proliferation; Cytokines - metabolism; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; General aspects; Growth Substances - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; Ligation; Liver - blood supply; Liver Neoplasms - pathology; Liver Neoplasms - secondary; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microcirculation; Neoplasm Transplantation; Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology; Tumors; Hepatic disease; Malignant tumor; Experimental study; Medicine; Ligature; Treatment; Tumor growth; Surgery; Digestive diseases; Models; Portal vein; Liver metastasis; Cancer
• ISSN: 0007-1323; 1365-2168
• DOI: 10.1002/bjs.7003

Background: Portal branch ligation (PBL) is being used increasingly before hepatectomy for colorectal metastases. This study evaluated the effect of PBL on angiogenesis, growth factor expression and tumour growth in a mouse model of hepatic colorectal metastases. Methods: CT26.WT cells were implanted into the left liver lobe of BALB/c mice. Animals underwent PBL of the left liver lobe or sham treatment. Angiogenesis, microcirculation, growth factor expression, cell proliferation and tumour growth were studied over 14 and 21 days by intravital multifluorescence microscopy, laser Doppler flowmetry, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Results: Left hilar blood flow and tumour microcirculation were significantly diminished during the first 7 days after PBL. This resulted in tumour volume being 20 per cent less than in sham controls by day 14. Subsequently, PBL‐treated animals demonstrated recovery of left hilar blood flow and increased expression of hepatocyte growth factor and transforming growth factor α, associated with increased cell proliferation and acceleration of growth by day 21. Conclusion: PBL initially reduced vascular perfusion and tumour growth, but this was followed by increased growth factor expression and cell proliferation. This resulted in delayed acceleration of tumour growth, which might explain the stimulated tumour growth observed occasionally after PBL. Copyright © 2010 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Unwanted effect of portal ligation