Electromagnetic thermoablation to treat thrombocytopenia in cirrhotic and hypersplenic rats

Roberto Zuchini, Chih Hao Huang, Hung Wen Tsai, Sheng Chieh Huang, Chuan Pin Lin, Chiung Yu Chen, Gwo Bin Lee, Xi Zhang Lin

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13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background and Aim: Thrombocytopenia due to hypersplenism is usually a serious condition in cirrhotic patients who have undergone invasive procedures. We designed a new treatment method using a high-frequency alternating electromagnetic force to treat the disease condition in a rat model. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were given thioacetamide in drinking water and injected with methylcellulose intraperitoneally to create a cirrhotic hypersplenism model. Spleen volume was determined using the Carlson method. The Control Group consisted of 14 rats, 15 weeks old, that were used to determine the normal platelet count and normal spleen size. Experimental Group I, consisting of 15 rats, received electromagnetic thermoablation of their spleens, after which the spleen was returned to the abdomen. Group II consisted of 13 rats, receiving the same electromagnetic thermoablation as Group I, but the ablated portion was removed. Group III consisted of 14 rats receiving total splenectomies. Results: Cirrhotic hypersplenism was confirmed during laparotomy and pathological examination. Spleen volume enlarged from 1513 ± 375 mm3 (Control Group) to 7943 ± 2822 mm3 (experimental groups). Platelet counts increased from 0.35 ± 0.21 × 106/mm 3 to 0.87 ± 0.24 × 106/mm3 for Group I, from 0.52 ± 0.23 × 106/mm3 to 1.10 ± 0.20 × 106/mm3 for Group II, and from 0.47 ± 0.23 × 106/mm3 to 1.18 ± 0.26 × 106/mm3 for Group III. No rats died due to the treatment in any of the experimental groups. Conclusions: Our animal model performed successfully and our proposed electromagnetic thermotherapy effectively treated thrombocytopenia due to cirrhotic hypersplenism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1578-1586
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
Volume25
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Sept

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology

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