Basic Research
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 28, 2005; 11(48): 7620-7624
Published online Dec 28, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i48.7620
Morphological and serum hyaluronic acid, laminin and type IV collagen changes in dimethylnitrosamine-induced hepatic fibrosis of rats
Chun-Hui Li, Dong-Ming Piao, Wen-Xie Xu, Zheng-Ri Yin, Jing-Shun Jin, Zhe-Shi Shen
Chun-Hui Li, Dong-Ming Piao, Zheng-Ri Yin, Jing-Shun Jin, Zhe-Shi Shen, Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University College of Medicine, Yanji 133000, Jilin Province, China
Wen-Xie Xu, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, China
Chun-Hui Li, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College, Chengde 067000, Hebei Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dong-Ming Piao, Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University College of Medicine, Yanji 133000, Jilin Province, China. pdm11172000@yahoo.con.cn
Telephone: +86-0433-2660203 Fax: +86-0433-2513610
Received: May 18, 2005
Revised: June 1, 2005
Accepted: June 6, 2005
Published online: December 28, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To study the morphological and serum hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), and type IV collagen changes in hepatic fibrosis of rats induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN).

METHODS: The rat model of liver fibrosis was induced by DMN. Serum HA, type IV collagen, and LN were measured by ELISA. The liver/weight index and morphological changes were examined under electron microscope on d 7, 14, 21, and 28 by immunohistochemical alpha smooth muscle actin α-SMA staining as well as Sirius-red and HE staining.

RESULTS: The levels of serum HA, type IV collagen and LN significantly increased from d 7 to d 28 (P = 0.043). The liver/weight index increased on d 7 and decreased on d 28. In the model group, the rat liver stained with HE and Sirius-red showed evident hemorrhage and necrosis in the central vein of hepatic 10 lobules on d 7. Thin fibrotic septa were formed joining central areas of the liver on d 14. The number of α-SMA positive cells was markedly increased in the model group. Transitional hepatic stellate cells were observed under electron microscope. All rats in the model group showed micronodular fibrosis in the hepatic parenchyma and a network of α-SMA positive cells. Typical myofibroblasts were embedded in the core of a fibrous septum. Compared to the control group, the area-density percentage of collagen fibrosis and pathologic grading were significantly different in the model group (P<0.05) on different d (7, 14, and 28). The area-density percentage of collagen fibrosis in hepatic tissue had a positive correlation with the levels of serum HA, LN, and type IV collagen.

CONCLUSION: The morphological and serum HA, type IV collagen, and LN are changed in DMN-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

Keywords: Rat; Hepatic fibrosis; DMN; Morphological change; Serum; Experimental studies