Changes in Serum Cytokine Concentration: A Morphological Study of Liver Cirrhosis Induced by Common Bile Duct Ligation in Rats

Abstract

BackgroundLiver cirrhosis is a diffuse hepatic fibrosis and nodule formation. The transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) are very important cytokines in hepatic fibrogenesis. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the changes of the serum cytokines and morphological changes following common bile duct ligation in experimental rats.MethodsCommon bile ducts of fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were ligated and seven male rats were set aside as controls. Five rats each were sacrificed in 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 experimental weeks. Light microscopic studies and liver function tests were performed during the above experimental weeks. The levels of serum TGF-β1 and IL-10 were analyzed by ELISA. Also, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunohistochemical stains were performed.ResultsOn the eighth week after common bile duct ligation, most hepatic lobular areas had been replaced by proliferated bile ducts and fibrous tissue (typical biliary cirrhosis). Serum TGF-β1 levels between the control group and the common bile duct ligation group showed statistically significant changes. The α-SMA was stained at proliferated bile ducts. These findings were correlated with each other.ConclusionThus, this experiment may clarify our understanding of the mechanism in liver fibrogenesis. Also, indicated is a need to explore the therapeutic potential of these cytokines as anti-fibrotic agents.

Kinetics of cytokine expression in cirrhotic rats

“…15 Histological examination has shown that hepatic lobular areas were gradually replaced by proliferated bile ducts and fibrous tissue, which led to typical biliary cirrhosis in four to eight weeks after BDL. 11 In the current study, compared to the sham-operated rats, BDL rats showed significantly elevated serum concentrations of ALT, AST, ALK-P and total bilirubin, which is consistent with hepatic inflammation and injury elicited by BDL. The albumin level decreased from week 4 after BDL, which also reflects the development of liver cirrhosis with impaired albumin production.…”

Treatment with milk thistle extract (Silybum marianum), ursodeoxycholic acid, or their combination attenuates cholestatic liver injury in rats: Role of the hepatic stem cells

“…Histological examination revealed periportal necrosis, portal inflammation, interlobular degeneration, and focal necrosis and fibrosis in the BDL group, whereas UDCA, MT, or their combination provided significant improvements in all histological scores, but portal inflammation scores were the same for all BDL groups. In parallel with the previous reports indicating that the degree of α-SMA stain demonstrates indirectly the extension of fibrosis, α-SMA expression was increased in saline-treated BDL group (25). However, its expression was reduced significantly with the administration of UDCA or MT or their combination.…”

Chloroquine Improved Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis through Its Inhibition of the Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells: Role of Autophagy

“…3), which have been reported to be profibrogenic genes in vivo. [15][16][17][18][19] However, the mechanism involved in regulating the expression α-SMA and TGF-β1 by CQ in our model is still unknown. Nevertheless, CQ administration prevented the activation of most HSCs may partially through the inhibition of autophagy.…”