Introduction

In the world of preclinical research, access to targeted delivery routes is essential for understanding drug metabolism, efficacy, and safety. One surgical model that offers exceptional insight into hepatic processing and first-pass metabolism is rodent portal vein catheterization. At PRA, our experienced surgical team performs this delicate and powerful model to support a wide range of pharmacological, toxicological, and translational studies.

What Is Portal Vein Catheterization?

Portal vein catheterization involves the surgical insertion of a catheter directly into the portal vein, which carries blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. This allows researchers to either administer compounds directly into the liver’s first-pass metabolic pathway or collect blood samples from the portal circulation for analysis.

Performed most often in rats, this model requires precise microsurgical technique and postoperative care to maintain catheter patency and animal welfare—both of which are core competencies at PRA.

Applications of the Rodent Portal Vein Model

This model is an invaluable tool for studies involving:

🔬 Liver-Targeted Drug Delivery
Administer investigational compounds directly to the liver to assess therapeutic impact, local exposure, and targeted delivery.

🧪 First-Pass Metabolism Studies
By bypassing systemic circulation, researchers can better understand how compounds are metabolized by hepatic enzymes before reaching systemic exposure.

🩸 Hepatic Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability
Simultaneous portal and systemic sampling enables detailed PK/PD profiling and bioavailability comparisons.

🧬 Gene and Cell Therapy Research
Direct portal vein delivery is a key route for many liver-directed gene and cell therapies, offering efficient hepatic transduction or cell localization.

⚠️ Toxicology and Safety Studies
Track compound toxicity specifically within the liver or gastrointestinal portal system over time.

Key Benefits of Portal Vein Access in Rodents

✅ Translational Relevance
The rodent portal system closely mirrors the human hepatic circulation pathway, allowing for meaningful early-stage data.

✅ Precise, Targeted Delivery
Minimizes systemic dilution and off-target effects by enabling localized dosing.

✅ Enhanced PK/PD Modeling
Dual catheter models allow for comparative blood sampling from both systemic and portal sites, improving data richness.

✅ Customizable Study Designs
Can be paired with bile duct cannulation, hepatic vein sampling, or chronic infusion protocols for comprehensive liver function assessment.

✅ Supports Complex Therapeutics
Ideal for biologics, RNA-based therapies, and nanoparticles requiring site-specific delivery.

Why Choose PRA for Portal Vein Models?

At Preclinical Research Associates, our team is highly experienced in microsurgical procedures, including portal vein catheterization. We provide:

  • Custom surgical model development

  • Long-term catheter maintenance for chronic studies

  • Comprehensive post-op monitoring and support

  • IACUC-compliant protocols and full documentation

  • High success rates and reproducibility

Whether you’re conducting exploratory liver studies or advancing a liver-targeted therapeutic toward IND, PRA delivers the precision, reliability, and flexibility you need.

Let’s Build Your Study

Looking to incorporate portal vein access into your next preclinical study? Our team is ready to support you with expert surgical services and model development tailored to your research goals.

📩 Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation.

www.prasurgical.com

info@prasurgical.com