Brief Reports
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 14, 2005; 11(6): 846-849
Published online Feb 14, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i6.846
Disturbance of hepatic and intestinal microcirculation in experimental liver cirrhosis
Sasa-Marcel Maksan, Eduard Ryschich, Zilfi Ülger, Martha Maria Gebhard, Jan Schmidt
Sasa-Marcel Maksan, Department of Surgery, University of Mainz, Germany
Eduard Ryschich, Zilfi Ülger, Martha Maria Gebhard, Jan Schmidt, Department of Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Germany
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Sasa-Marcel Maksan, M.D., Department of Surgery, University of Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, D-55131 Mainz, Germany. maksan@ach.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Telephone: +49-6131-171
Received: September 13, 2004
Revised: September 16, 2004
Accepted: October 8, 2004
Published online: February 14, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To analyze hepatic, mesenteric and mucosal microcirculation and leukocyte-endothelium interaction (LEI) in a rat model with liver cirrhosis.

METHODS: Hepatic cirrhosis was induced in Wistar rats by gavage with carbon tetrachloride, and intravital videomicroscopy was performed in liver, mesentery and small intestine mucosa. Special emphasis is given on microcirculatory and morphometric changes during cirrhotic portal hypertension.

RESULTS: LEI was influenced significantly in the cirrhotic liver but not in the gut. Blood flow measurement showed significant differences among liver, main mesenteric vessels and the mucosa. The results of our study indicate that liver cirrhosis leads to alterations in hepatic and mesenteric blood flow but not in mucosal blood flow.

CONCLUSION: The enhanced inflammatory response in hepatic microvessels may be caused by a decrease of antithrombin III levels and could be responsible for disturbances of organ pathology.

Keywords: Liver cirrhosis; Microcirculation; Small intestine; Liver