Selective chemical hepatic sympathectomy in the dog

Intraportal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was used to produce selective hepatic sympathectomy in the dog. Previously reported techniques for 6-OHDA induced hepatic sympathectomy in rats and cats were modified considerably using alpha and beta adrenergic blocking agents to prevent the otherwise intense and fatal sympathomimetic response which has prevented adaptation of the intraportal 6-OHDA injection for dogs. After 6-OHDA injection, histofluorescent staining demonstrated loss of hepatic adrenergic nerves with preservation of normal adrenergic innervation in the heart and pancreas. Tyramine iv was used to further document functional integrity of peripheral sympathetic mechanisms. This technique provides a useful model for evaluation of sympathetic nervous system mediated changes in hepatic metabolic function associated with the neuroendocrine response to hemorrhage in the classic dog model.