Abstract: Objective  The embolization of rabbit hepatic VX2 transplantation tumors was carried out by iodized oil and dextran microspheres respectively. The curative effect of the two kinds of embolization agents was determined by the comparison of CT perfusion values and the expressions of immunohistochemical CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).
  Methods  Fifty tumor-bearing rabbits were randomly divided into iodized oil group and dextran microsphere group. CT perfusion scans were carried out in 14 days after liver VX2 tumor planting in the rabbits. Hepatic arterial embolization was performed on the 15th day after the planting of rabbit liver VX2 tumors. CT perfusion scan was carried out in 14 days after embolization to observe the change of CT perfusion values. After these tumor-bearing rabbits were killed, the rabbit liver VX2 tumors were isolated, and then immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expressions of CD34 and VEGF.
  Results  ①Blood flow, blood volume,hepatic arterial fraction and hepatic arterial perfusion of dextran microsphere group were smaller than those of iodized oil group, and portal vein perfusion of dextran microsphere group was larger than that of iodized oil group. ②Immunohistochemical studies showed that no or only a small amount of CD34 and VEGF staining was found in the normal liver parenchyma around the tumors in the iodized oil group and the dextran microsphere group. The expressions of CD34 and VEGF in tumor area in iodized oil group were greater than those in dextran microsphere group, and the differences of microvascular density(MVD) values between two groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05).
  Conclusion  The embolization effect of dextran microsphere is better than that of iodized oil, so it is an ideal embolization agent.

Key words: liver neoplasms, experimental, glucans, ethiodized oil