[The experiment study of endovascular denervation in treatment of cancer pain]

Objective: To assess the feasibility and safety of endovascular denervation (EDN) with a multi-electrode radiofrequency ablation catheter on beagles. Methods: A total of 18 beagles, (10.2±1.1) kg,of either gender,were provided by the Animal Center of Southeast University (SYXK (Su) 2016-0013). They were divided equally into three groups:the instant euthanizing group, the long-term follow-up group and the sham operation group. Beagles in the instant euthanizing group were euthanized immediately after EDN. Beagles in the long-term follow-up group were euthanized three months after EDN. Beagles in the sham operation group underwent sham operation and were euthanized three months later. Blood biochemistry was measured at baseline, and immediately, 15 days, 30 days and 90 days after the surgery. Computerized tomographic (CT) angiography was determined before the surgery and 60 days after the surgery. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was determined 90 days after the surgery. Histopathologic analyses were used to identify the changes of arterial wall and neuron cells. Results: Beagles in the long-term follow-up group and the sham operation group all underwent EDN successfully without accidental death. No abdominal aortic perforation and peripheral tissue necrosis were found at Necropsy. No vascular injuries were found by CTA and DSA in each group. There was no statistical difference in hematological analyses, 90 days after the surgery:white blood cell:(12.5±1.5)×10(9)/L vs (13.2±0.7)×10(9)/L, P=0.275; red blood cell:(7.0±0.6)×10(9)/L vs (6.3±0.4)×10(9)/L, P=0.089; total bilirubin:(2.9±0.4) μmol/L vs (3.0±0.6) μmol/L, P=0.681; glutamic-pyruvic transaminase:(40±11) U/L vs (37±6) U/L, P=0.168; glutamic oxalocetie transaminase:(51±11) U/L vs (48±9) U/L, P=0.221; urea nitrogen:(7.2±1.2) mmol/L vs (6.9±0.8) mmol/L, P=0.505; creatinine:(60±9) μmol/L vs (59±9) μmol/L, P=0.81; prothrombin time:(7.2±0.7) s vs (7.0±0.7) s, P=0.719. Histopathological analyses showed that there were hypercellular appearance of nerve bundle and thickened perineurium in EDN groups, while normal perineurium around nerve bundle in the sham operation group. Conclusion: EDN could be applied in beagles safely and feasibly.