Objective To discuss the methods of producing experimental models of chronic pancreatitis and their individual properties. Methods The recent literatures about experimental models of chronic pancreatitis were reviewed and analyzed. Methods of producing experimental models and their individual properties were summarized, and best models suitable for varied chronic pancreatitis were afforded. Results Diet, ligation of pancreatic duct, caerulein, dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC), arterial ligation, injecting microspheres into artery, and injection of pancreatic duct could induce different experimental models of chronic pancreatitis. Spontaneous chronic pancreatitis was induced by diet, chronic obstructive pancreatitis produced by ligation and injection of pancreatic duct, chronic relapsing pancreatitis evoked by caerulein, and chronic active pancreatitis made by arterial ligation and injecting microspheres into artery.Conclusion Different methods could induce models of chronic pancreatitis, which had their individual properties.
Allogeneic mouse model of peritoneal heart transplant is a microscopic surgery on small animal with complex techniques. For a beginner, a learning curve of this surgical technique has to be experienced. The learning curve contains three stages:(1) to be familiar with the local anatomy of either donor or recipient mouse; (2) to be capable of collecting donor heart and well preparing the major peritoneal vessels of recipient; (3) to be skillful in the anastomosis of major vessels. The bottleneck of the learning curve is the valid skill of vascular anastomosis. The stepwise essentials are to "understand, be familiar, be accurate, and be quick" in the learning curve.