Development of a novel rat model for pancreaticoduodenectomy

TL;DR

Researchers developed a new rat model for pancreaticoduodenectomy, a complex surgery, to better study postoperative complications and recovery.

Contribution

A stable and cost-effective rat model for pancreaticoduodenectomy was successfully established.

Findings

The 7-day survival rate of the rat model was 85.0%.

Histological analysis showed pancreatic injury and recovery patterns over 7 days post-surgery.

Serum and ascites enzyme levels increased postoperatively but recovered by day 5.

Abstract

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a complex surgical procedure associated with substantial postoperative risk. Despite its clinical significance, the lack of a standardized, cost-effective animal model hinders mechanistic research. Here, we aimed to establish a feasible and safe rat PD model. A simulated PD procedure was performed on Sprague–Dawley rats, including pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ), hepatojejunostomy (HJ), and gastrojejunostomy (GJ). The survival rate, surgical details, enzyme levels (amylase and lipase) and histopathological changes were analyzed. 7-day survival rate was 85.0% (51/60, 95% CI 0.739–0.919). The mean operation duration was 74.9 ± 12.3 min (PJ: 10.0 ± 2.8 min; HJ: 9.7 ± 3.9 min; GJ: 14.8 ± 4.9 min). Histological analysis revealed pancreatic injury at postoperative day (POD) 1, transient acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) at POD3 and restoration of acinar architecture by POD 7. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining demonstrated early acinar apoptosis (C-caspase-3) at POD1-3, CK19 upregulation with reduced amylase at POD3, and re-emergence of acinar markers (amylase) by POD7. Postoperative serum and ascites amylase/lipase levels were statistically elevated and recovered around day 5. This study successfully established a stable and economical rat PD model, providing a practical platform for postoperative mechanistic studies.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-24072-x.

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