ENDOSCOPIC SCLEROTHERAPY IN A RAT MODEL OF ESOPHAGEAL-VARICES

Background: Partial ligation of the portal vein has been shown to indu ce not only prehepatic portal hypertension but also esophageal varices in the rat. We developed an esophageal endoscopic system for endoscop ic sclerotherapy of esophageal varices in rats. In the present study t he efficacy of three sclerosing agents, 1% polidocanol, 5% ethanolamin e oleate, and 99.5% ethanol, was compared, using this model. Methods: Sclerosing agents were injected paravariceally in 42 rats with partial portal vein ligation. Their efficacy was compared endoscopically and histologically. Results: Ethanol induced the most severe ulcers and su bsequent stricture formation. The damage induced by 1% polidocanol was mild and healed quickly, whereas 5% ethanolamine oleate induced moder ate damage. The varices disappeared because of fibrosis that developed after ulceration. Conclusions: The results were consistent with the k nown properties of these three agents, suggesting that the esophageal endoscopic system for sclerotherapy in rats provides a useful method f or experimental studies of sclerotherapy.