A mouse liver fibrosis model induced by long-term carbon tetrachloride intraperitoneal injection

Objective To determine the hepatic fibrosis-induced effect of 12 week intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride in mice. Methods The hepatic fibrosis in C57BL/6 mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 200μl 10% carbon tetrachloride three times every week. At 8th and 12th week, the mice were executed.The severity of hepatic fibrosis was identified by gross observation and microscopic examination. Results Livers of mice executed at week 8 had rough surface and fibers extended to the hepatic lobule,and moderate hepatic fibrosis was induced.In the mice executed at week 12, there were nodules on the liver surface,and the structure of hepatic lobules disordered and false lobules formed, suggesting the successful induction of hepatic fibrosis.Moreover, intraperitoneal injection of 12 week carbon tetrachloride had no significant influence on activity and mean weight of mice.Mean weight in control group and experimental group was 29. 0 g and(26. 8± 0. 7)g respectively,P> 0. 05. Conclusion Intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride in mice is a safe and effective method for building hepatic fibrosis model. Key words: Liver fibrosis; Mouse model; Carbon tetrachloride