[The effect of drug-microsphere embolization of hepatic artery on normal liver and experimental hepatic tumor in rats].

Experimental hepatic artery embolization with camptothecin (CPT) albumin microspheres was performed in normal livers of 18 rats and experimental hepatic tumors of 8 rats. The effects of drug microsphere embolization were evaluated by selective celiac angiography and pathologic examination. The results showed that hepatic artery and peripheral vessels totally disappeared on angiogram after intra-hepatic-arterial infusion of CPT microspheres. Plentiful collaterals were demonstrable on follow up selective celiac angiogram 20 days postoperative, while partial and complete reconstitution of hepatic artery occurred within 50 approximately 70 days after embolization. Pathologic examination revealed that the drug microspheres were entrapped in the arterioles of liver and scattered areas of infarction were observed in the peripheral parts of liver. Therefore, CPT albumin microsphere is a peripheral type of biodegradable embolizing agent.