AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 249, Issue 4 449-G456, Copyright © 1985 by American Physiological Society
Microcirculation in periportal and pericentral regions of lobule in perfused rat liver
J. G. Conway, J. A. Popp and R. G. Thurman
A noninvasive method was developed to quantitate the vascular space and the
fraction of fluid entering the liver via the hepatic artery or portal vein
in periportal and pericentral regions of the lobule. Fluorescence of
fluorescein-dextran measured with a light guide placed on the surface of
livers perfused via the portal vein in situ correlated closely with liver
vascular space (r = 0.85). Thus, fluorescein-dextran fluorescence can be
used to measure vascular space. Livers were then perfused simultaneously
via the hepatic artery and portal vein at flow rates of 8 and 24 ml/min,
respectively. Fluorescein-dextran (12 microM) was infused via the hepatic
artery and portal vein separately or simultaneously. The sum of
fluorescence increases due to fluorescein-dextran infused via the artery
and vein equaled the increases due to simultaneous infusion via the artery
and vein. From these measurements, the fraction of fluid that entered the
vascular space via the artery or the portal vein was calculated. Vascular
space was similar in hilar and tip areas of the left lateral lobe; however,
threefold more fluid entered the liver via the hepatic artery in hilar
regions than in tip areas. Micro-light guides were placed on periportal and
pericentral areas of the liver lobule to monitor fluorescein-dextran
fluorescence. Fluorescence changes indicated that the vascular space was
about twice as large in pericentral as in periportal areas, whereas the
fraction of fluid that entered the liver via the hepatic artery was similar
in both regions. In addition, morphometric analysis of sections of liver
indicated that the vascular space was 60% greater in pericentral than
periportal regions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
