Introduction: Cirrhosis is the end stage of any chronic liver disease. It is characterized by diffuse fibrosis with disturbed hepatic architecture. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are common antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic agents Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of omega-3 fatty acids on experimentally induced cirrhosis. Materials and Methods: 60 animals were divided into three groups: Group I (control): 10 animals, group II: 25 animals treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and Group III : 25 animals treated with CCl4 then with omega-3 concomitant with CCl4 for additional two weeks after induction of cirrhosis. Body weight and liver weight coefficient were measured. Liver samples were taken for histological and immunohistochemical studies. Results: Omega-3 fatty acids treatment attenuated the CCl4 induced cirrhosis. Histological studies revealed that it decreased the stage of fibrosis, and the grade of the necroinflammatory changes. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that apoptotic changes diminished in cirrhotic livers after treatment with omega-3 fatty acids with a significant decrease in the cleaved caspase-3 index. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in the number of macrophages, and hepatic stellate cells activation. Conclusion: Our results suggest that omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects on CCl4 induced liver cirrhosis in mice.

Background Cirrhosis is a worldwide end stage liver disease. It is characterized by diffuse fibrosis and conversion of normal liver lobules into structurally abnormal nodules. Aim of the work This study was conducted to investigate the role of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases-1 (TIMP-1) in during the evolution of cirrhosis, and in fibers resolution after cessation of the insult. Materials and methods 54 adult male Balb/c mice; about 2 months old were randomly divided into control and treated groups;Control:24 animals.In the treated groups; 30 animals were subcutaneously injected with CCl4 (20% # diluted in sunflower oil) in a dose of 1 ml per Kg twice weekly.6 animals of them were sacrificed72 hours after the last dose at the 4th week, 8th week, 12th week, and 16th week.6 animals were kept for two weeks without injection after the 16 weeks of CCl4 treatment. Results Our results indicated that TIMP-1 is involved in the process of fibrogenesis and fibers resolution in an experimental model of cirrhosis in mice. Conclusion TIMP-1 is involved in the process of fibrogenesis in mice which can be applied in new strategies for the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy is a major side effect of chemotherapy. Nerve growth factor induces peripheral nerve regeneration. Retinoids play a significant role in neural growth. Aim of the work: This study aimed to investigate the curative effect of either recombinant human nerve growth factor (rh-NGF) or all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) alone or together on taxol induced peripheral neuropathy. Materials and methods: Fifty two male albino rats were divided into five groups. Group 1was control group. Group 2 was i.p. injected with taxol (2mg/kg) on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Group 3 received taxol as in group II then at the 10th day it was i.p. injected with NGF (10ug/kg daily for 20 days). Group 4 received taxol as in group II then at the 10th day it was i.p. injected with ATRA (25mgkg daily for 20 days). Group 5 received taxol as in group II then it was i.p. injected with rh-NGF and ATRA at the 10th day with the same previous dose. Neurophysiological assessment was done for sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity and amplitude as well as thermal pain threshold. Sections of sciatic nerve were prepared for immunohistochemichal and electron microscopic studies. Results: Taxol injected animals exhibited signs of peripheral neuropathy at the 10th day after the first dose of taxol. There was a significant decrease in sensory and motor conduction as well as prolongation in thermal pain threshold. Myelinopathy (splitting, ovoid fragments and invagination) and axonapathy (compressed irregular axoplasm, myelin figures and destructed mitochondria) were seen in the histological examination. Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactive positive cells were significantly increased. rh-NGF and ATRA could ameliorate the electrophysiological and the histological changes. Their combined use had the best result. Conclusion: This study concluded that the use of rh-NGF and ATRA combination could improve taxol induced peripheral neuropathy in male albino rats.