Abstract:

AIM: To explore the effects of elemene injected in multiple ways on liver histology changes in rabbits.  METHODS: Thirty New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups: transauricular vein group (n=6), transarterial perfusion group (n=6), transarterial lipiodol group (n=6), transarterial gelfoam group (n=6) and transhepatic puncture group (n=6). Each rabbit was administrated elemene (20 mg/kg) via different access in 6 minutes. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) concentrations were measured and 2 rabbits were euthanized for histological analysis at 6 hours and 1 week after administration. RESULTS: The AST concentration in plasma 6 hours after administration was（414.7±235.2） μmol/L in transarterial lipiodol group,（333.3±250.6） μmol/L in transhepatic puncture group, （92.3±73.6）μmol/L in transarterial gelfoam group and ALT concentration was （209.0±116.5）μmol/L in transarterial lipiodol group, （118.7±50.0）μmol/L in transhepatic puncture group, （68.3±21.4） μmol/L in transarterial gelfoam group, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of transauricular vein group or transarterial perfusion group (P<0.01). Under optical microscope, different degree of coagulation necrosis was seen easily in the transarterial lipiodol group, transhepatic puncture group and transarterial gelfoam group, concurrent with small bile duct hyperplasia, infiltration of a lot of inflammatory cells around bile duct, fatty degeneration of liver cells. However, only mild or moderate hydropic degeneration of liver cells was seen in transauricular vein group or transarterial perfusion group. CONCLUSION: Compared with transauricular vein or transarterial perfusion administration, the effects of elemene injected transarterial with lipiodol or gelfoam and transhepatic puncture may be more efficient.

Key words: elemene, peripheral vein, hepatic artery, transhepatic puncture, rabbit