Objective    To explore an ideal approach to establish rabbit model of hepatic fibrosis suitable for radiological and serological research.      Methods    Totally 40 rabbit models of hepatic fibrosis was established by intraperitoneally injecting 5% carbon tetrachloride in oil solution or 100% carbon tetrachloride (both groups

0.1 ml/kg

once a week)

and drinking 5% ethanol water. Another 8 rabbits who drank normal water and received a peritoneal injection at 0.1 ml/kg served as control. The rabbits (5 or 2 per time for model group and control) were killed at 6

8

10 and 12 weeks respectively after first injection. Their livers were resected for gross and morphological observation with HE and Masson staining.     Results    Death of the models usually happened within 4 weeks after first injection and became stable after 6 weeks. Mortality of 5% carbon tetrachloride group was 60%

but 25% in 100% carbon tetrachloride group. Macroscopy and microscopy indicated that liver fibrosis was observed in rat models.     Conclusion    Long-term intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride results in rabbit hepatic fibrosis. Injection of 100% carbon tetrachloride intraperitoneal

at 0.1 ml/kg

once a week

combined with and 5% ethanol as drinking water is a suitable approach to establish rabbit model of hepatic fibrosis with low mortality and high success rate.