Abstracts
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2000. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 15, 2000; 6(Suppl3): 123-123
Published online Sep 15, 2000. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v6.iSuppl3.123
Hepatic content of collagens and laminin in rat model of experimental liver fibrosis
Ying-De Wang, Le-Wei Jia, Chun-Mei Li
Ying-De Wang, Le-Wei Jia, Chun-Mei Li, Gastroenterology Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Ying-De Wang, Gastroenterology Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, Liaoning Province, China. wyingde@mail.dlptt.ln.cn
Telephone: 411-3635963-3138
Received: July 5, 2000
Revised: July 8, 2000
Accepted: July 10, 2000
Published online: September 15, 2000
Abstract

AIM: The hepatic content of collagens (type I, III and VII) and laminin (LN) in rat model of experimental liver fibrosis was observed to find out their roles in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.

METHODS: The experimental rat model was established by immunological injury induced by injecting human albumin. Histopathological and immunohistochemical methods were used to measure the hepatic content of collagens and laminin in the fibrotic rat livers.

RESULTS: The hepatic contents of collagens (type I, III, VII) and LN in the fibrotic rat livers were significantly increased as compared with those in the control group, and they were found to be mainly localized in the portal space, central veins and fibrous septa. Electron microscopic study showed that pro-collagens were present around the “activated” hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and the hepatocytes atrophied.

CONCLUSION: Pathological deposition of collagens (type I, III and VII) and laminin was the fundamental lesion of liver fibrosis. HSC may be the major cellular source of collagens (type I, III and VII) and laminin in the liver tissue.

Keywords: Liver cirrhosis; Collagen; Laminin; Immunohistochemistry; Rats; Microscopy, electron