Z. FAN, W. DAI, W. Wu, Y. Dai, M. CHEN; Beijing/CN

Purpose
To investigate the effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on dendritic cells (DCs) in normal rats.

Material and methods
26 healthy SD rats were divided into treated group with RFA (n=18) and control group (n=8). The rats of treated group were killed on the 7th day and 14th day after RFA. Peripheral blood, liver tissue around the ablation area and spleen were taken out. The OX62ã€OX6ã€CD86 of DCs were analyzed with flowcytometry.

Results
OX62+ cells accounted for 0.37±0.11% of mononuclear cells in peripheral blood in normal rats. The ratio was 0.59±0.23% after 1 week of RFA. The difference between these two groups was significant (p<0.05). OX62+ cells accounted for 17.50±9.51% and 10.36±3.21% of mononuclear cells in liver and spleen respectively. After RFA, the ratio increased to 34.94±15.14% and 18.03±5.70% respectively（p<0.05）. The expressions of OX6 on DCs increased significantly in liver and spleen after RFA. There were significant differences compared with control group (p<0.05).

Conclusion
The precursor DCs in peripheral blood and DCs in liver and spleen increase significantly after RFA. The expressions of OX6 on DCs in liver and spleen increase after RFA. The change of number and function of DCs in normal rats after RFA may contributes to further study of effect of RFA on DCs in body with hepatic carcinoma.