Basic Research
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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2006; 12(2): 240-245
Published online Jan 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i2.240
Effect of hepatic iron concentration reduction on hepatic fibrosis and damage in rats with cholestatic liver disease
Gil Peretz, Gabriela Link, Orit Pappo, Rafael Bruck, Zvi Ackerman
Gil Peretz, Zvi Ackerman, Department of Internal Medicine, Hebrew University- Hadassah Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, Jerusalem, Israel
Orit Pappo, Department of Pathology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
Gabriela Link, Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolism, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
Rafael Bruck, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The E. Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Correspondence to: Zvi Ackerman, MD, Department of Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, PO Box 24035, Jerusalem 91240, Israel. zackerman@hadassah.org.il
Telephone: +972-2-5844111 Fax: +972-2-5823515
Received: May 25, 2005
Revised: June 28, 2005
Accepted: July 20, 2005
Published online: January 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To assess the effect of iron reduction after phlebotomy in rats with “normal” hepatic iron concentration (HIC) on the progression of hepatic fibrosis, as a result of bile duct ligation (BDL).

METHODS: Rats underwent phlebotomy before or after sham operation or BDL. Animals undergone only BDL or sham operation served as controls. Two weeks after surgery, indices of hepatic damage and fibrosis were evaluated.

RESULTS: Phlebotomy lowered HIC. Phlebotomy after BDL was associated with body weight increase, lower hepatic weight, less portal hypertension, less periportal necrosis, less portal inflammation, lower hepatic activity index score and higher albumin levels. On the other hand, phlebotomy before BDL was associated with body weight decrease and hepatic activity index score increase. Phlebotomy after sham operation was not associated with any hepatic or systemic adverse effects.

CONCLUSION: Reduction of HIC after induction of liver damage may have beneficial effects in BDL rats. However, iron deficiency could induce impairment of liver function and may make the liver more susceptible to insults like BDL.

Keywords: Iron; Phlebotomy; Bile duct ligation; Hepatic activity index; Rat.