An ultrasound and histomorphological analysis of experimental liver cirrhosis in rats

• Published in: Brazilian journal of medical and biological research 2008-11, Vol.41 (11), p.992-999
• Main Authors: Dias, J V, Paredes, B D, Mesquita, L F Q, Carvalho, A B, Kozlowski, E O, Lessa, A S, Takiya, C M, Resende, C M C, Coelho, H S M, Campos-de-Carvalho, A C, Rezende, G F M, Goldenberg, R C S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; BIOLOGY; Carbon Tetrachloride - toxicity; CCl4; Cirrhosis; Collagen; Ethanol; Ethanol - toxicity; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental - chemically induced; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental - diagnostic imaging; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental - pathology; MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL; Rat; Rats; Ultrasonography; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 0100-879X; 1414-431X; 1414-431X; 0100-879X
• DOI: 10.1590/S0100-879X2008001100008

We investigated whether liver injury by dual exposure to ethanol and carbon tetrachloride (EtOH + CCl4) for 15 weeks would persist after hepatotoxic agents were removed (EtOH + CCl4/8wR). After 15 weeks of hepatic injury with ethanol (5.5%, m/v) and carbon tetrachloride (0.05, mL/kg, ip), 5 of 11 female Wistar rats were sacrificed. The other 6 rats were maintained for an additional 8 weeks without hepatotoxic agents. Ultrasonography showed increased liver echogenicity and dilation of portal vein caliber in both groups (EtOH + CCl4: 0.22 +/- 0.01 cm, P < 0.001; EtOH + CCl4/8wR: 0.21 +/- 0.02 cm, P < 0.01) vs control (0.16 +/- 0.02 cm). Histopathology showed regenerative nodules in both experimental groups. Histomorphometry revealed increased fibrosis content in both groups (EtOH + CCl4: 12.6 +/- 2.64%, P < 0.001; EtOH + CCl4/8wR: 10.4 +/- 1.36%, P < 0.05) vs control (2.2 +/- 1.21%). Collagen types I and III were increased in groups EtOH + CCl4 (collagen I: 2.5 +/- 1.3%, P < 0.01; collagen III: 1.3 +/- 0.2%, P < 0.05) and EtOH + CCl4/8wR (collagen I: 1.8 +/- 0.06%, P < 0.05; collagen III: 1.5 +/- 0.8%, P < 0.01) vs control (collagen I: 0.38 +/- 0.11%; collagen III: 0.25 +/- 0.06%). Tissue transglutaminase increased in both groups (EtOH + CCl4: 66.4 +/- 8%, P < 0.01; EtOH + CCl4/8wR: 58.8 +/- 21%, P < 0.01) vs control (7.9 +/- 0.8%). Cirrhosis caused by the association of CCl4-EtOH remained for at least 8 weeks after removal of these hepatotoxic agents. Ultrasound images can be a useful tool to evaluate advanced hepatic alterations.