LPS/D-GalN诱导小鼠急性肝损伤模型的建立

目的建立脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)/D-氨基半乳糖(D-galactosamine,D-GalN)诱导小鼠急性肝损伤模型。方法 40只雌性C57BL/6小鼠用于观察8种不同LPS与D-GalN剂量配比联合刺激后小鼠存活时间,以确定模型建立的最佳剂量。使用腹腔注射最佳剂量染毒32只雌性C57BL/6小鼠,分别在0、1、4、8 h处死,每组8只,0 h注射相同剂量生理盐水作为对照。观察染毒后小鼠肝组织病理损伤,检测血清中ALT及炎症因子IL-6、MCP-1和TNF-α表达水平变化。结果通过观察小鼠存活时间,确定腹腔注射最佳染毒剂量为LPS(2.5 mg/kg)/D-GalN(0.3 g/kg);小鼠染毒后肝组织呈进程性病变,最终发展为肝脏弥漫性坏死,肝细胞核崩解。与对照组相比,血清ALT显著升高(P0.001),IL-6、MCP-1、TNF-α均在1 h后达到最高水平(P0.001),然后持续下降。结论成功建立LPS/D-GaIN诱导小鼠急性肝损伤模型,为探索急性肝损伤的致病机制以及药物干预治疗提供有效的动物模型。     

不同剂量雨蛙素诱导小鼠急性胰腺炎模型的对比研究

目的:探究相同频次、不同剂量雨蛙素腹腔注射诱导急性胰腺炎小鼠模型轻重程度的差异。方法:雨蛙素腹腔注射法诱导胰腺炎C57小鼠模型,共注射12次,每次间隔1 h,分别设置单次剂量为10μg/kg、50μg/kg、250μg/kg三个梯度。检测模型的血清淀粉酶、脂肪酶、胰腺组织水含量,以及胰腺组织HE染色、病理学评分和肺组织HE染色。结果:①雨蛙素造模组小鼠淀粉酶、脂肪酶和胰腺组织水含量均较正常组明显升高(P0.05),50μg/kg剂量组各项数值达最大,250μg/kg剂量组无再明显升高(P0.05)。②造模组与对照组相比,胰腺组织和肺组织炎细胞浸润明显,低剂量(10μg/kg)注射胰腺组织呈水肿性改变,无出血坏死;常规剂量(50μg/kg)注射引起胰腺组织片状坏死出血;大剂量(250μg/kg)注射引起胰腺组织大范围坏死出血(P0.05)。结论:10μg/kg雨蛙素12次腹腔注射可诱发小鼠急性水肿性胰腺炎,50μg/kg雨蛙素12次腹腔注射能诱导出小鼠急性重症胰腺炎。     

一种改良的二甲基亚硝胺肝纤维化模型诱导方法及其病理特点

目的探讨旨在降低死亡率的二甲基亚硝胺(DMN)肝纤维化改良造模方法及其病理特点。方法大鼠分为常规方法造模组(常规组)与改良方法造模组(改良组),每组再分为模型组与正常对照组,均设染毒后4周和8周共2个时间观察点。常规组造模以DMN10μL/kg大鼠体重的剂量,腹腔注射,每周连续3d,连续4周,共12次;改良组同上剂量的DMN腹腔注射,每2d一次,连续4周,共14次。观察大鼠体重、肝体比与脾体比,试剂盒测定血清肝功能,HE染色与天狼猩红染色分别观察肝组织炎症与胶原沉积,盐酸水解法测定肝组织羟脯氨酸含量。结果2种造模方法均在造模4周时形成典型的肝纤维化,模型大鼠的体重、肝体比、脾体比、血清肝功能等均有相应的变化趋势。与常规组比较,改良组模型大鼠造模8周后死亡率显著降低,肝细胞炎症坏死稍轻,而肝窦毛细血管化明显。结论隔日1次腹腔注射较之连续3d腹腔注射DMN是一种较为稳定的肝纤维化改良造模方法,具有肝窦毛细血管化与小叶内纤维化的肝纤维化病理特征。     

妊娠期大气细颗粒物暴露损伤孕鼠多种器官并抑制妊娠及胎儿发育

目的建立小鼠妊娠期大气细颗粒物(fine particulate matter,AD≤2.5μm,PM_(2.5))暴露模型,探讨妊娠期PM_(2.5)暴露对孕鼠主要脏器及妊娠的影响。方法孕鼠随机分为空白组、对照组、PM_(2.5)低剂量组、PM_(2.5)中剂量组和PM_(2.5)高剂量组,利用气管染毒方法分别向PM_(2.5)低、中、高剂量组注入浓度为0.2592μg/μl、1.56695μg/μl和3.456μg/μl的30μl PM_(2.5)混悬液,对照组注入相同体积PBS。孕期间断染毒七次。观察PM_(2.5)染毒对孕鼠体重增长、妊娠天数、主要脏器及对新生仔鼠数量、体重等发育情况的影响,HE染色观察孕鼠心、肝、肺、肾的病理学变化。结果 PM_(2.5)中剂量和高剂量组与对照组相比,孕鼠体重增长减缓,妊娠天数减少;孕鼠肝、肺、心和肾重量均减轻,且组织结构受损,可见炎症等病理改变;新生仔鼠数量减少,体重下降,可见无脑等畸形。结论妊娠期暴露在PM_(2.5)污染环境中可引起小鼠心、肝、肺、肾出现炎症等病理损害,进而影响小鼠妊娠,导致新生仔鼠数量减少,出现畸形、体重减轻等不良妊娠结局。     

CCl4和脂多糖诱导的急性肝损伤中肝细胞凋亡病理特点比较

目的比较CCl4和脂多糖诱导的两种急性肝损伤模型中肝细胞凋亡的病理特点。方法雄性BABL/c小鼠随机分为正常组、CCl4模型组与脂多糖模型组。CCl4和脂多糖模型小鼠分别腹腔注射0.03 mL/kg 50?l4/橄榄油混合液和10μg/kg脂多糖与900μg/kg半乳糖胺。9 h后采集标本,检测肝细胞凋亡,血清ALT、AST活性,肝组织SOD活性、MDA含量。结果与正常组比较,CCl4和脂多糖模型小鼠血清ALT与AST活性均明显升高(P<0.01),且脂多糖模型高于CCl4模型(P<0.01);模型小鼠均有明显肝细胞凋亡(P<0.01),且两组间无显著差异,但CCl4模型呈局灶性,以中央静脉周围为主;脂多糖模型呈弥漫性,肝细胞坏死与肝组织炎症更显著(P<0.01)。CCl4和脂多糖模型肝组织均SOD活性升高、而MDA含量下降(P<0.01),但CCl4模型更显著(P<0.05)。结论CCl4与脂多糖诱导的急性肝损伤小鼠模型均有明显的肝细胞凋亡,但CCl4模型以中央静脉区为主,脂质过氧化损伤更为明显;脂多糖模型呈弥漫性,肝细胞坏死与肝组织炎性反应较重。     

腹腔一次注射法构建百草枯致小鼠肺间质纤维化模型

目的建立一种简便易行的百草枯(PQ)致肺间质纤维化动物模型。方法 33只C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为实验组(30只)和对照组(3只)。实验组腹腔一次性注射PQ 10 mg/kg,并于染毒后第2、5、7、14、28天处死小鼠,对照组腹腔注射生理盐水并于第28天处死。观察两组小鼠的一般情况、肺组织大体结构和肺组织病理学改变。结果实验组小鼠在染毒后2 h即出现中毒性改变,肺组织在第28天出现了明显的纤维化改变。结论腹腔一次性注射PQ能简便、可靠的构建出肺纤维化动物模型,可用于进一步研究PQ中毒所致的肺间质纤维化发病机制和治疗方法。     

百草枯致小鼠肺间质纤维化过程中Smad3蛋白的表达

目的 使用免疫组织化学的方法观察百草枯(paraquat,PQ)致小鼠肺间质纤维化过程中Smad3蛋白的表达.方法 58只雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分组.实验组48只,通过腹腔注射10 mg/kg PQ建立小鼠肺间质纤维化模型,对照组10只,腹腔注射等量生理盐水.小鼠在实验组染毒后第2、5、7、14天和对照组第7天时分别被安乐死,留取肺组织标本.标本进一步进行HE染色和Smad3蛋白的免疫组化研究.结果 光镜观察小鼠染毒后第2～5天肺组织出现水肿、出血、炎症细胞浸润等改变,第7天有少量胶原沉积及斑片状的纤维化表现,第14天表现更加明显.免疫组化观察染毒小鼠肺组织Smad3蛋白表达,第2～7天肺中巨噬细胞和部分Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞的细胞核中见到阳性表达.Smad3阳性表达和巨噬细胞数量呈正相关.第14天,在成纤维细胞灶增生的成纤维细胞核中,也可见到Smad3弱阳性表达.结论 在PQ致肺间质纤维化过程中,Smad3蛋白异常表达并对肺纤维化的发生发展具有重要的作用.     

煤尘对小鼠肺组织铜蓝蛋白和SOD活性的影响

目的通过接触煤尘后小鼠肺组织中铜蓝蛋白和SOD活性的改变情况,探讨铜蓝蛋白和SOD活性在煤尘肺发展中的意义。方法将50只小鼠随机分成空白对照组、实验对照组和1 h2、h3、h剂量组,采用动式呼吸道染毒,连续染毒12 d,染毒结束后将小鼠处死,测定其肺组织铜蓝蛋白和SOD的活性。结果小鼠脏器系数各组之间无差异;与对照组相比,各剂量组小鼠肺组织SOD活性均降低,差异显著（P〈0.05）,且空白对照与实验对照无差异（P〈0.05）;铜蓝蛋白各组之间无差异。结论短期接触一定浓度煤尘会引起SOD活性的改变。     

急性铅应激诱导肝肾损伤及其分子机制初探

利用腹腔注射醋酸铅方法构建了铅染毒小鼠(Mus muscculus)模型,观察了染毒小鼠肝、肾的组织学变化,并通过免疫组织化学方法检测了染毒小鼠肝、肾组织中Caspase-3、Bcl-2和Bax蛋白的表达量.结果发现,急性铅染毒可诱导肝和肾组织学损伤,且在诱导肝细胞和肾细胞凋亡、损伤过程中,随时间的延长,Caspase-3的表达量逐渐增加,而Bcl-2与Bax两蛋白表达量的比值呈逐渐下降趋势,有一定的时效性,染毒48 h后,与对照组相比,均差异极显著,表明铅可能通过影响Caspase-3、Bcl-2和Bax的表达而诱导肝和肾细胞异常凋亡.     

硫酸镁对脑源性肺损伤综合征的影响

目的探讨不同剂量的硫酸镁(MgSO4)对大鼠脑源性肺损伤后神经源性肺水肿、血浆炎性因子TNF-α及肺组织病理形态学变化的影响。方法将30只SD雄性大鼠按随机数字法分为假手术组(A组)、模型组(B组)及硫酸镁50mg/kg干预组(C组)、硫酸镁100mg/kg干预组(D组)、硫酸镁200mg/kg干预组(E组),每组6只。建立大鼠颅脑损伤模型后,硫酸镁干预组即刻按50mg/kg 25%MgSO4腹腔注射,C组注射1次、D组注射2次、E组注射4次,每8h注射1次。A组及B组的大鼠注射相同剂量生理盐水作对照,C组大鼠注射1次及D组大鼠注射2次MgSO4后给予注射相同剂量的生理盐水作对照,注射方法及间隔时间同E组。伤后48h测定大鼠肺组织含水量、血浆TNF-α浓度,肺组织常规HE染色,光镜观察肺组织病理形态学变化。结果大鼠颅脑创伤后肺组织含水量均高于假手术组,以C组最明显(P0.05),差异有统计学意义。B、C、D、E组大鼠之间肺组织含水量比较差异无统计学意义。B、C、D、E组大鼠TNF-α浓度均明显高于假手术组(P0.05),D组血浆TNF-α浓度明显低于B组(P0.05),E组血浆TNF-α浓度明显低于B组(P0.01),其他各组间差异无统计学意义。假手术组肺组织形态正常,肺血管无扩张,无炎症细胞浸润;B、C、D、E组与假手术组比较均可见终末支气管腔内充满炎症细胞,周围肺组织的肺泡腔内可见炎细胞浸润,肺血管扩张、充血。B、C、D、E组在炎症细胞浸润及肺毛细血管扩张方面无明显差异。结论脑外伤可导致脑源性肺损伤综合征,可导致神经源性肺水肿;硫酸镁可降低大鼠脑损伤后血浆TNF-α浓度,对肺水肿无明显影响。     

髓过氧化物酶与大剂量顺铂所致小鼠肝功能变化关系的探讨

目的利用大剂量顺铂（Cisplatin,DDP）诱发小鼠急性肾功能衰竭的动物模型,了解大剂量DDP在引起肾损伤的同时对小鼠肝的毒性作用,探讨髓过氧化物酶（Peroxidase,MPO）与DDP所致小鼠肝功能变化的关系。方法 C57BL/6小鼠50只,雌雄各半,依体重随机分为DDP用药组和生理盐水（NS）对照组。15 mg/kg DDP单次腹腔内注射,等量NS对照。分别取对照组小鼠和DDP用药后6、12、24和48 h小鼠各10只,称重后乙醚麻醉,内眦静脉取血检测肝、肾功能;剖腹取肝、称重、计算肝系数,并取少量肝组织行HE染色、形态学观察;检测血浆和肝组织匀浆中MPO活性,统计学分析。结果大剂量DDP用药后48 h,小鼠出现急性肾功能衰竭。DDP用药后6 h血清谷丙转氨酶（ALT）含量达（91.0±11.3）IU/L,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,随后血清ALT含量持续维持在高水平。DDP用药后各组小鼠肝系数明显升高,光镜下见肝细胞广泛变性水肿,肝小叶中可见点状坏死及炎细胞浸润。DDP用药后6 h,小鼠肝组织匀浆MPO含量显著升高,达（1.54±0.45）U/g,与对照组（0.58±0.28）U/g差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）,随后MPO含量降至正常水平;DDP用药后小鼠外周血MPO含量缓慢增高,用药后48 h达（12.78±2.78）U/L,与对照组（8.06±1.89）U/L比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论大剂量DDP在诱发小鼠急性肾功能衰竭的同时还可引起小鼠急性肝细胞的破坏,其发生可能与肝组织内白细胞的激活及MPO的释放有关。     

Morphological studies in a model for dengue-2 virus infection in mice

One of the main difficulties in studying dengue virus infection in humans and in developing a vaccine is the absence of a suitable animal model which develops the full spectrum of dengue fever, dengue haemorrhagic fever, and dengue shock syndrome. It is our proposal to present morphological aspects of an animal model which shows many similarities with the dengue infection in humans. BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally infected with non-neuroadapted dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2). Histopathological and morphometrical analyses of liver tissue revealed focal alterations along the infection, reaching wide-ranging portal and centrolobular veins congestion and sinusoidal cell death. Additional ultrastructural observations demonstrated multifocal endothelial injury, platelet recruitment, and alterated hepatocytes. Dengue virus antigen was detected in hepatocytes and in the capillar endothelium of the central lobular vein area. Liver function tests showed high levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase enzyme activity. Lung tissue showed interstitial pneumonia and mononuclear cells, interseptal oedema, hyperplasia, and hypertrophy of the bronchiolar epithelial cells. DENV-2 led to a transient inflammatory process, but caused focal alterations of the blood-exchange barrier. Viremia was observed from 2nd to 11th day p.i. by isolation of DENV-2 in C6/36 mosquito cell line inoculated with the supernatant of macerated liver, lung, kidney, and cerebellum tissues of the infected mice.     

Growth of organ cultures of mouse liver infected with Coxsackie A13 virus

Peculiarities attending the growth and proliferation of the organ cultures of the liver of mongrel albino mice infected once with Coxsackie A-13 virus were investigated. A marked zone of growth, mostly of the epithelial cells, was determined rather early in the liver explants of mice in the experimental group, whereas in control group of mice the cell growth around the explant of the liver was either absent or very weak. Besides, a great number of lymphocytes evenly arranged in the zone of hepatocytes growth was observed in the preparations of the experimental mice liver. Lymphocyte "adhesion" to hepatocytes of the culture was revealed in some preparations. Moreover, destruction of the hepatocytes and a marked rarefaction of the cell layer occurred at the sites of lymphocytes accumulation on the 21st and the 28th days of growth.     

蝇蛆卵蛋白粉对昆明仔鼠生长发育的影响

目的研究含蝇蛆卵蛋白粉饲料对昆明（Kunming,KM）小鼠胎仔生长发育的影响。方法记录仔鼠各项生理变化指标,采用修订Fox方案检测各项生长发育指标。结果不同饲料组仔鼠断乳前窝重、仔鼠断乳后体重变化和食物利用率差异均无显著性;不同饲料组仔鼠躯体/生理发育指标：耳廓分离、睁眼、张耳和出毛时间差异无显著性,但雌性仔鼠阴道开口和雄性仔鼠睾丸下降较基础饲料组要早。低剂量饲料组的平面翻正所需时间、中剂量饲料组的负趋地性较基础饲料组短,而高剂量饲料组的平面翻正时间较基础饲料组长,差异均存在显著性。余各组仔鼠新生反射和感觉功能的各指标差异均无显著性。各组8周龄仔鼠部分脏器系数存在差异。但除雌性仔鼠阴道开口和雄性仔鼠睾丸下降两个指标外,上述有差异的指标数据差均在允许范围内。结论含蝇蛆卵蛋白粉饲料能够满足SPF级昆明小鼠生长发育的需要。     

Influence of endotoxin on experimental post-alcoholic liver injury.

The morphological and biochemical changes of the liver after endotoxin intake were analyzed in rats receiving 20% ethanol during 60 days. Besides morphological changes, concentration of serotonin and histamine in liver homogenates, the activity of asparagine and alanine aminotransferases (AspAT, ALAT), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in blood serum were determined, too. The most extensive morphologic changes of the liver were seen in group of animals intoxicated with 20% ethanol during 60 days and single dose of endotoxin E. coli 0127:B8 intraperitoneally. These changes included necrosis most hepatocytes, focal steatosis of liver parenchyma, considerable hyperemia and parenchymatous degeneration of the liver cells. The cells lining liver sinuses showed considerable swelling as well as necrotic changes. Figures of cell division and haemorrhagic focuses were seen, too. The clusters of mononuclear cells, surrounding necrotically changed hepatocytes were seen in the central part of the liver lobule. Among the inflammatory mediators estimated in liver homogenate only serotonin reached a high level in the group of experimental animals receiving only endotoxin. Increased activity of aminotransferases AspAt and ALAT were associated with these morphologic and biochemical changes in liver tissue observed in animals receiving ethanol and endotoxin.     

NLRP3炎症小体对克雷伯杆菌肺炎小鼠肺脏病理损伤的调节作用

摘要 目的：探讨含NLR家族PYRIN域蛋白3（NLR family pyrin domain containing 3,NLRP3）炎症小体对克雷伯杆菌肺炎小鼠肺脏病理损伤的调节作用。方法：56只C57BL/6小鼠随机平分为两组-模型组与对照组,模型组小鼠通过气管注射肺炎克雷伯杆菌建立克雷伯杆菌肺炎模型,对照组小鼠注射等体积的生理盐水,记录与观察肺脏病理损伤情况。结果：模型组建模第7 d与第14 d的肺泡灌洗液髓过氧化酶（Myeloperoxidase,MPO）活性都高于对照组（P<0.05）。模型组建模第7 d与第14 d的肺脏、脾脏、肝脏系数与肺脏病理评分、NLRP3蛋白相对表达水平都高于对照组（P<0.05）。在模型组中,建模第14 d的NLRP3蛋白相对表达水平与肺脏病理评分、肺脏系数、脾脏系数、肝脏系数、肺泡灌洗液MPO活性都存在正相关性（P<0.05）。结论：克雷伯杆菌肺炎小鼠NLRP3炎症小体呈现高表达状况,可介导小鼠肺脏病理损伤,促进MPO活性增加,加重多脏器损伤。     

热应激对小鼠器官指数、小肠损伤及胃HSP70 mRNA表达的影响

目的探讨热应激对小鼠器官指数、小肠形态、胃黏膜HSP70 mRNA表达量及糖代谢相关激素的影响。方法采用单因子实验设计,将年龄和体重相近的18只KM小鼠随机分为对照组和热应激组,分别测定心、肝、脾、肺、肾重量,小鼠胃黏膜HSP70 mRNA表达量、血浆中胰岛素和胰高血糖素浓度以及十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度、隐窝深度,并对肝脏、十二指肠和空肠进行病理组织学检查。结果与结论热应激对小鼠器官指数无影响,可显著提高小鼠胃黏膜HSP70 mRNA表达量,降低血浆中胰岛素的含量,并造成小鼠肝脏、十二指肠和空肠严重损伤。     

Effect of Dietary Selenium Yeast Supplementation on Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) Infections in Mice

The present study was performed to determine the protective role of dietary selenium (Se) yeast supplementation in porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) infected mice. Forty-eight Kun Ming female mice were randomly assigned to Se yeast group (0.3%Se +basal diet, n = 24) and control group (basal diet, n = 24). After 3 days of adaptive feeding and 15 days treatment with the experimental feed, mice were challenged by intraperitioneal injection of PCV2 at the dosage of 2000 TCID₅₀ (50% tissue culture infection dose, TCID₅₀). Serum total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) levels were measured at 5, 10, 15, 20 days post infection (dpi). The PCV2 virus load in the liver, spleen and lung, and the microscopic lesions in the liver, spleen and lung also were determined on 5, 10, 15, and 20 dpi. Dietary Se yeast supplementation decreased (Pμ0.05) the serum levels of TNF-α, but had no significant effect on the activity of SOD and the levels of MDA, CRP and IL-1β between experimental and control groups. Dietary Se yeast supplementation had little effect on the PCV2 virus load in the liver, spleen and lung. However, mice in the selenium yeast group showed a significant decrease in microscopic lesion scores in the lung and spleen compared with those in the control group (Pμ0.05). These data indicate Se yeast attenuated the PCV2 infection through altering the systemic inflammation and maintaining the normal organ morphology.     

Maternal exercise training attenuates endotoxin-induced sepsis in mice offspring

Regular exercise during pregnancy can prevent offspring from several diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and type II diabetes during adulthood. However, little information is available about whether maternal exercises during pregnancy protect the offspring from infectious diseases, such as sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). This study aimed to investigate whether maternal exercise training protects the offspring from endotoxin-induced septic shock in mice. Female C57BL/6 mice performed voluntary wheel exercises during pregnancy. All dams and offspring were fed normal chow with sedentary activity during lactation and after weaning. At 10-week-old, mice were intraperitoneally injected a lethal (30 mg/kg) or nonlethal (15 mg/kg) dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), following which the survival of mice that were administered a lethal dose was monitored for 60 h. Plasma, lung, and liver samples were collected 18 h after the injection to evaluate the cytokine concentration or mRNA expression from those administered a nonlethal dose. Although maternal exercise training could not prevent lethality during an LPS-induced septic shock, it significantly inhibited the LPS-induced loss of body weight in female offspring. Regular maternal exercise significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of the LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), in the plasma and liver. Thus, maternal exercise inhibited the LPS-induced inflammatory response in female offspring, suggesting that regular exercise during pregnancy could be a potential candidate of the onset of sepsis and MODS in offspring.     

Immunohistochemical detection of hypoxia in mouse liver tissues treated with pimonidazole using “in vivo cryotechnique”

To evaluate hypoxic cells in live mouse liver tissues, immunohistochemistry for protein adducts of reductively activated pimonidazole (PARaPi) was performed using the “in vivo cryotechnique (IVCT)” followed by freeze-substitution fixation. This method was used because cryotechniques have some merits for examining biological events in living animal organs with improved time-resolution compared to conventional perfusion and/or immersion chemical fixation. Pimonidazole was intraperitoneally injected into living mice, and then after various times of hypoxia, their livers were quickly frozen by IVCT. The frozen liver tissues were freeze-substituted in acetone containing 2% paraformaldehyde, and routinely embedded in paraffin wax. De-paraffinized sections were immunostained for PARaPi. In liver tissues of mice without hypoxia, almost no immunostained cells were detected. However, in liver tissues with 30 s of hypoxia, some hepatocytes in the pericentral zones were strongly immunostained. After 60 s of hypoxia, many hepatocytes were immunostained with various degrees of staining intensity in all lobular zones, indicating different reactivities of pimonidazole in the hepatocytes to hypoxia. At this time, the general immunoreactivity also appeared to be stronger around the central veins than other portal areas. Although many hepatocytes were immunostained for PARaPi in the liver tissues with perfusion fixation via heart, those with perfusion via portal vein were not immunostained. Thus, IVCT is useful to detect time-dependent hypoxic states with pimonidazole treatment in living animal organs.