| Abstract:Objective：To discuss the time window of stable expression of enhanced green fluorescent for transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma in Buffalo rats. Methods：McA RH7777/EGFP cells were subcutaneously implanted into the Buffalo rats' right thighs. Pieces of tumor tissue were implanted into the left lobes of the livers in 35 rats. The weights and serum albumin levels of rats were measured on day 7, 12, 18, 21, 26 after tumor implanted. The subsequent growth, metastasis of the implanted tumors were observed and evaluated with whole body fluorescence optical imaging system, fluorescent microscopy. Results：The tumors were detected with MRI in all animals on day 7 after tumor implanted. There was no significant growth of weight within 7days, but increased significantly after and reached the peak value at day 21, then decreased. The mean tumor volumes was (13.36±2.90) mm3 on day 7, (162.5±69.71) mm3 on day 12, increased to (1 683.36±375.02) mm3 on day 26 after tumor implanted. With the fluorescent microscopy, micrometastasis tumors can be detected in lungs on day 21 after tumor implanted. Multiple small lung metastases were detected on day 26. The albumin levels on day 26 after tumor implanted were significantly lower than before (P<0.05).Conclusions：The period from 12 to 18 days in the models may be classified as the micrometastasis stage, and it becomes advanced liver cancer after 21 days. |