Liver Histomorphology Research Articles

Liver damage and caspase-dependent apoptosis is related to protein malnutrition in mice: Effect of methionine

This study aimed to determine whether the effects on the mouse liver caused by three periods of feeding a protein-free diet for 5 days followed by a normal complete diet for 5 days (3PFD-CD) are prevented by a constant methionine supply (3PFD+Met-CD). The expressions of carbonic anhydrase III (CAIII), fatty acid synthase (FAS), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) were assessed by proteomics and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions. The liver redox status was examined by measuring the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as protein carbonylation. Because oxidative stress can result in apoptosis, the activity and content of caspase-3, as well as the x-linked inhibitor of the apoptosis protein (XIAP) and mitochondrial caspase-independent apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) contents were assessed. In addition, the liver histomorphology was examined. Compared to the controls fed a normal complete diet throughout, feeding with 3PFD-CD increased the FAS content, decreased the CAIII content, decreased both the SOD and CAT activities, and increased protein carbonylation. It also activated caspase-3, decreased the XIAP content, decreased the AIF content, increased the number of GSTP1-positive foci and caspase-3-positive cells, and caused fatty livers. Conversely, the changes were lessened to varying degrees in mice fed 3PFD+Met-CD. The present results indicate that a regular Met supply lessens the biochemical changes, damage, and caspase-dependent apoptosis provoked by recurrent dietary amino acid deprivation in the mouse liver.

Effects of Dietary Substitution of Cod Liver Oil by Vegetable Oils on Fatty Acid Composition in Liver and Muscles, Lipoprotein Lipase Gene Expression and Intestinal Histomorphology in Juvenile Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Effects of Dietary Substitution of Cod Liver Oil by Vegetable Oils on Fatty Acid Composition in Liver and Muscles, Lipoprotein Lipase Gene Expression and Intestinal Histomorphology in Juvenile Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary substitution of cod liver oil (CLO) by vegetable oils on fatty acid composition in liver and muscles and histomorphology of proximal, mid and distal intestine in juvenile Nile tilapia (O. niloticus). Fish in duplicate were fed five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets [cod liver oil (CLO), linseed oil (LO), olive oil (OO)] or a blend of equal proportions of CLO and vegetable oils (CLO : LO, CLO : OO) at 3 % of the diets for 60 days. The levels of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene expression significantly increased in the fish liver had CLO: LO diet and significantly decreased in liver of fish had OO diet.Meanwhile, nonsignificant increase of LPL geneexpression was shown in muscle of fish fed on CLO and LO diets Histomorphometric measurements made in the intestinal tract revealed that, with the exception of the luminal diameter, number of the mucosal folds and width of the lamina propria, the other histomorphometric parameters were significantly higher in the three parts in LO group than in CLO: OO and OO groups.

Histomorphological and biochemical changes induced by triptolide treatment in male lesser bandicoot rat, Bandicota bengalensis

Mature and healthy male lesser bandicoot rats, Bandicota bengalensis (n = 40) were fed on bait (mixture of cracked wheat and powdered sugar in 98:2) containing different concentrations of triptolide (0, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25% w/w) for 15 days in two-choice trials. Results revealed no significant effect of triptolide treatment on weights of vital organs after 30 and 60 days of treatment withdrawal. A significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in plasma levels of TP, ALP, ACP, ALT and AST in response to stress induced in groups of rats treated with 0.20 and 0.25% triptolide was observed after 30 days of treatment withdrawal. No significant effect of treatment was observed on histomorphology of liver. A significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect of triptolide treatment was, however, observed on testicular function in the form of reduced diameter of seminiferous tubules and number of various spermatogenic cells indicating effect on spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis. The cell stages affected did not recover fully within 60 days period following treatment withdrawal. The present study suggests the potential of triptolide in the reproductive management of B. bengalensis by way of affecting testicular function.

Alterations of Liver Histomorphology in Relation to Copper Supplementation in Inorganic and Organic Form in Growing Rats

Abstract The aim of this study was to define the effects of diet containing the same mineral content of mineral salt or amino acid chelate, and diet containing various levels of Cu amino acid chelate on liver histomorphometry in growing rats. Male Wistar rats were used in the 12th week experiment. The control group (n = 12) was fed standard diet, which provided Cu in an inorganic form at the level required for rats. The experimental animals were divided into four groups (each n = 12) depending on different levels (100%, 75%, 50%, 25% covered daily demand) of Cu supplementation in chelated form. Cu content was determined in the liver tissue and blood plasma. Immunohistochemical staining with caspase-3 antibody was performed. Microscopic assessment of the liver structure indicated that Cu supplementation did not change the liver architecture. However, histomorphometric analysis revealed a significant increase in the number of nuclei, total cell number, and multinucleated hepatocytes in rats supplemented with the organic form of Cu at the level of 25% compared with the control group. There was a considerable increase in the number of apoptotic cells and ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes, especially in groups supplemented with organic form of Cu covering the daily demand in 100% and 75%, in comparison to control group. Moreover, there was no Cu deposition in the liver and changes in Cu content in blood. Cu provided in the diet in organic form covering an amount of its minimum daily demand in 25% appears to be the least harmful with regard to the liver. It indicates that there is a need to establish the level of diet supplementation with Cu amino acid chelates.

Dan-gua fang improves glycolipid metabolic disorders by promoting hepatic adenosine 5'-monophosphate activated protein kinase expression in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats.

To investigate the effect of Dan-gua Fang on adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) activated protein kinase (AMPK) α expression in liver and subsequent improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism. Forty 13-week-old diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats were randomly divided into model, Dan-gua Fang, metformin and simvastatin groups (n=10 for each), and fed high-fat diet ad libitum. Ten Wistar rats were used as normal group and fed normal diet. After 24 weeks, liver expression of AMPKα mRNA was assessed by real-time PCR. AMPKα and phospho-AMPKα protein expression in liver was evaluated by Western blot. Liver histomorphology was carried out after hematoxylin-eosin staining, and blood glucose (BG), glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), food intake and body weight recorded. Similar AMPKα mRNA levels were found in the Dan-gua Fang group and normal group, slightly higher than the values obtained for the remaining groups (P<0.05). AMPKα protein expression in the Dan-gua Fang group animals was similar to other diabetic rats, whereas phospho-AMPKα (Thr-172) protein levels were markedly higher than in the metformin group and simvastatin group (P<0.05), respectively. However, phosphor-AMPKα/AMPKα ratios were similar in all groups. Dan-gua Fang reduced fasting blood glucose with similar strength to metformin, and was superior in reducing cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as improving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in comparison with simvastatin and metformin. Dan-gua Fang decreases plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) significantly. Dan-gua Fang, while treating phlegm-stasis, could decrease BG and lipid in type 2 diabetic GK rats fed with high-fat diet, and effectively protect liver histomorphology and function. This may be partly explained by increased AMPK expression in liver. Therefore, Dan-gua Fang might be an ideal drug for comprehensive intervention for glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on gonadal maturation and spawning of striped gourami, Colisa fasciatus

The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on histomorphological structure of liver, developmental stages of ovary, serum calcium (Ca2+) level, sperm quality and spontaneous spawning performance of striped gourami, Colisa fasciatus. Fishes were collected from the Brahmaputra River, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Treated group was fed with supplemental diet enriched with 1 % squid extracted phospholipids for 3 months while the control group was given the same feed except phospholipids. For histomorphology of liver and ovaries, samples were collected on monthly basis. Treated group exhibited higher gonadal maturation resulted in spontaneous spawning compared to control. During spawning time, normal morphological structure of hepatocytes with lipid granules was observed in the liver of treated group, whereas less lipid granules with altered histological appearance were noticed in control group. Moreover, serum Ca2+ concentration was measured significantly higher (P < 0.01) in PUFA-treated female in contrast with control one. Again, sperm quality was determined by staining the sperm with trypan blue dye. Live sperm depicted transparent appearance in contrast to the dead one that retained black spots. The amount of live sperm was significantly higher (98.86 ± 0.87 %) in PUFA-treated males than that of control (90.58 ± 0.67 %). Therefore, the present study clearly indicated these enhanced spawning performances of C. fasciatus owing to PUFAs supplementation in diet.

Animal model for assessment pro‐inflammatory response of fat tissue and liver induced by prenatal stress and diet high in sugar and fat (840.14)

Life style diseases (LSD) recognized as one of the non‐inflectional epidemic worldwide and LSD‐related liver pathology is common distributed. Recent data had shown intrauterine (prenatal) programming of adult metabolic phenotype. No study has explored potential interaction between maternal diet high in sugar and fat and stress on adipocytokine secretion and changes of liver functions in adulthood.The aim: To create a animal model of prenatal stress in rats to examine role of maternal stress and diet on activities of adipose tissue and hepatocellular organization in the offspring which can provide basis in treating hepatopathologies in preclinical and clinical settings.We used rat offsprings of mothers which had during all period of pregnancy social stress with (1) ad libitum access to 30% saccharose (Kozar, 2009); (2) high‐fat diet (to 45% kcal, Lintermans, 2009); and (3) binary those factors vs control. Scoring lesion (LI), vascular indexes (VI) by fat, liver histomorphology, IL‐1β, GRO/CINC‐1, leptin, adiponectin by ELISA.Relative to the control the most changes were determined in the 3d group: histologically ‐ both in the visceral fat tissue and liver appeared the cell reorganization with signs of inflammation, rise IL‐1β (217%), GRO/CINC‐1 (99%), leptin (79%) levels and decreased of adiponectin (41% ); rise of ratio Leptin/Adiponectin was in twice.Conclusion: Taken together maternal stress and high sugar‐fat diet reveal both prenatal effect on prenatal programming of offspring adipocyte secretion with liver proinflammatory changes. This animal model can be useful for follow up pharmacology investigation of pro‐inflammatory and metabolic state in adulthood.

A screening of liver, kidney, and thyroid gland morphology in organochlorine-contaminated glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) from Svalbard

Concentrations of organochlorine (OC) contaminants and histomorphology of liver, kidney, and thyroid tissues were studied in nine adult and one subadult glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) collected at Svalbard on 2 August 2011. Concentrations of liver polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB; range: 150–2820 ng g−1 ww), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT; range: 58–724 ng g−1 ww), and chlordanes (CHL; range: 11–126 ng g−1 ww) dominated the OC profile followed by hexachlorobenzene (HCB; range: 11–42 ng g−1 ww), mirex (range: 2–52 ng g−1 ww), and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH; range: 1–7 ng g−1 ww). Histological examination of the liver showed mononuclear cell infiltrations and granulomas in 10 and 6 gulls, respectively, while intense intrahepatic lipid accumulation (steatosis) was found in two and focal necrosis in one gull. In kidney, glomerular sclerosis and adhesions was found in five and one gull, respectively. Thickening of the glomerular basement membranes and tubular necrosis was found in four and seven gulls, respectively, while mononuclear cell infiltrations were found in two individuals. In the thyroid gland, a high density of small follicles accompanied by follicular epithelial cell proliferation was observed in five glaucous gulls. Gulls with hepatic steatosis had significantly higher ΣDDT levels than the gulls without hepatic steatosis and a similar trend was found for ΣPCB. When normalizing OC concentrations for lipid content in liver, gulls with lipid granulomas had significantly lower β-HCH and significantly higher mirex levels, respectively, than gulls without lipid granulomas. Also; gulls with thickening of the glomerular basement membranes had non-significantly higher ΣPCB levels than gulls without. The histological findings were similar to those of controlled laboratory studies and OC-contaminated wildlife (e.g., polar bears; Ursus maritimus) and the data of this study therefore suggest that OC exposure may be a co-factor in the development of organ alterations in glaucous gulls. However, other environmental factors such as age, element exposure, and infectious micropathogens cannot be ruled out as co-factors, and it is uncertain if the tissue changes found exert adverse health effects on the population of Svalbard glaucous gulls.

Oogenesis and lipids in gonad and liver of daubed shanny (Leptoclinus maculatus) females from Svalbard waters

Oocyte and liver histomorphology of the daubed shanny (Leptoclinus maculatus) from Isfjorden and Kongsfjorden in Svalbard were investigated during three Arctic seasons: summer (July), autumn (October) and winter (April). Three oocyte developmental phases were observed: primary growth phase, secondary growth phase and maturation phase. We observed four different developmental stages: (1) perinucleolus stage with cortical alveolus formation, (2) lipid droplets formation, (3) vitellogenesis stage and (4) maturation. Late maturation stage of oocytes in the ovaries was from the autumn season. Females accumulated lipids in liver (up to 35.2% dw) and deposited large amounts of lipids into gonads (up to 52.2% dw) during maturation. Lipid classes in female gonads changed seasonally, with relative increase in cholesterol during summer and depletion of storage lipids (triacylglycerols and wax esters/cholesterol esters) during the winter. Lipid composition in liver changed during oocyte development and spawning, as neutral lipids were transferred to developing oocytes during summer to autumn. During winter, storage lipids were depleted during starvation. Based on the increase in gonadosomatic index (GSI) with length and observed maturation stages, females seem to mature at a length of about 125-130mm. The GSI and hepatosomatic index of large females sampled in autumn (September-October) were significantly higher than for females in late winter (April) and spring (May). These results indicate that spawning takes place during winter in Isfjorden and that energy reserves stored in the liver are utilized by females during gonadal development and reproduction.

Arsenic induced genotoxic and histopathological changes in male Swiss albino mice, Mus musculus

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of arsenic trioxide on the DNA and histomorphology of testis, liver and kidney of Swiss albino mice, Mus musculus. Oral administration of arsenic trioxide induced DNA damage in the testis, liver and kidney marked by light pink staining of nuclei after Feulgen’s reaction with reduced fine chromatin. Simultaneously severe histological changes were noted like distortion of seminiferous tubules, disorganization of spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids with cytoplasmic vacuolization and nuclear pycnosis in testis. There was almost disappearance of sinusoids due to disruption of hepatic plates, inflammatory cellular infiltration around central veins and cytoplasmic vacuolization in hepatocytes with large irregular nuclei in liver of treated mice. Disorganized glomeruli with distorted Bowman’s capsules and mild to severe multifocal cloudy and hydropic degeneration with necrosis of tubules were observed in the kidney of treated mice. Inference drawn from the study indicated that arsenic induced both genotoxic histotoxic lesions.

The effect of artificial feed on blood biochemistry profile and liver histology of wild saddled bream, Oblada melanura (Sparidae)

Floating fish farms attract a great number of wild fish species, changing their behaviour and physiology. The saddled bream, Oblada melanura, sampled from populations aggregated around the Adriatic fish farm and from natural/control populations, were analysed for differences in eleven blood biochemistry parameters and liver histomorphology. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) and urea (URE) in cage-associated saddled bream (428.00 ± SD 321.56 U/L, 86.13 ± SD 39.87 U/L and 0.05 ± SD 0.16 mmol/L, respectively) were significantly lower than those observed in the control specimens (1047.06 ± SD 505.56 U/L, 125.75 ± SD 34.70 U/L and 1.99 ± SD 0.73 mmol/L, respectively). In contrast to that, concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in cage-associated fish (87.63 ± SD 132.34 U/L) were higher than values noted for the control population (6.55 ± SD 5.90 U/L). URE and AST presented the main variables contributing to the discrimination between two analysed populations. One-way ANOSIM based on the blood parameters showed significant difference between saddled bream that fed around cages and those from the remote waters ( R = 0.697; P < 0.01). Hepatocytes of cage-associated fish contained large cytoplasmatic clear spaces indicating excessive accumulation of fat in the hepatocyte cytoplasm. All observed differences can be attributed to contrasting feeding behaviour of sampled populations but basic nutritional differences between them should be quantified in the future. Moreover, further research is necessary to detect their impact on the health status of the fish.

Effects of TAT-heme oxygenase-1 fusion protein on inflammatory response and liver function during liver cold preservation in rats

Objective To investigate the effect of TAT-heine oxygenase-1 (TAT-HO-1) fusion protein on the inflammatory response and liver function during cold preservation of liver in rots. Methods Forty-eight male SD rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the type of preservation solution (n=24 each): control group (group C) and TAT-HO-1 fusion protein group (group P). The livers were harvested according to the method described by Kamada. In control group the livers were flushed and preserved with 4℃ HTK solution while in group P the livers were flushed and preserved with 4℃ HTK solution containing TAT-HO-1 fusion protein 50 μg/ml. Liver specimens and preservation solution samples were collected at 0, 6, 12, and 18 h of cold storage. The activities of aspartato amino-transferase (AST), alanine aminu-transferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the preservation solution were analyzed. TNF-α expression in the liver was determined. The liver histomorphology was observed by light microscopy. Results The AST, ALT and LDH activities in the preservation solution and TNF-α expression in the liver were significantly increased time-dependendy during cold storage in both groups. The AST, ALT and LDH activities and TNF-α expression were significantly lower at 6, 12 and 18 h of cold storage in group P than in group C.Conclusion TAT-HO-1 fusion protein can reduce the inflammatory response of the liver during cold storage in rats, and has protective effect on liver function to some extent. Key words: Heme oxygenase (decyclizing); Viral fusion proteins; Liver transplantation; Cryopreservation; Inflammation

Effect of biliary tract external drainage on cytokine expression and histomorphology of intestine, liver, and lung in rats with hemorrhagic shock

To investigate the protective effect of biliary tract external drainage on cytokine expression and pathomorphism of intestine, liver, and lung in rats with hemorrhagic shock. Randomized, control animal study. This study was conducted at The Institution Digestive Surgery Research Laboratory of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Sprague-Dawley rats. Biliary tract external drainage was performed by inserting a cannula into the bile duct. Hemorrhagic shock was induced by drawing blood from the carotid artery. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to three equal groups of eight: sham shock; hemorrhagic shock; and hemorrhagic shock plus bile duct drainage. The messenger RNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 in the intestine, liver, and lung tissue from the three groups were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was analyzed in the bile of the rats by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histology of intestine, liver, and lung was performed in all groups by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The messenger RNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was significantly increased in the hemorrhagic shock group compared with the sham shock group (intestine 0.54 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.37 +/- 0.05, liver 1.01 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.56 +/- 0.07, lung 0.94 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.62 +/- 0.06). The messenger RNA expression of interleukin-6 was also significantly increased in the hemorrhagic shock group compared with the sham shock group (intestine 0.89 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.50 +/- 0.09, liver 1.07 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.57 +/- 0.12, lung 1.09 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.67 +/- 0.06). Biliary tract external drainage reduced significantly the messenger RNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (intestine 0.43 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.54 +/- 0.07, liver 0.74 +/- 0.18 vs. 1.01 +/- 0.06, lung 0.87 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.94 +/- 0.07) and interleukin-6 (intestine 0.60 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.89 +/- 0.12, liver 0.71 +/- 0.16 vs. 1.07 +/- 0.10, lung 0.88 +/- 0.25 vs. 1.09 +/- 0.09). The concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in bile was significantly higher in the hemorrhagic shock group compared with the sham shock group (31.22 +/- 6.44 ng/mL vs. 15.49 +/- 3.64 ng/mL, p < .01). The histologic observation of the intestine, liver, and lung showed that the biliary tract external drainage significantly attenuate the putrescence and exfoliation of intestinal villi, denaturation and putrescence of hepatocytes, edema, and inflammatory cells infiltration of lung. Biliary tract external drainage decreases the messenger RNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and attenuate the tissue injury of the intestine, liver, and lung in rats model of hemorrhagic shock. The gut-liver axis was implicated to play a crucial role in hemorrhagic shock-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Effect of biliary tract external drainage on cytokine expression and histomorphology of intestine, liver, and lung in rats with hemorrhagic shock

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of biliary tract external drainage on cytokine expression and pathomorphism of intestine, liver, and lung in rats with hemorrhagic shock. Design: Randomized, control animal study. Setting: This study was conducted at The Institution Digestive Surgery Research Laboratory of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Subjects: Sprague-Dawley rats. Interventions: Biliary tract external drainage was performed by inserting a cannula into the bile duct. Hemorrhagic shock was induced by drawing blood from the carotid artery. Measurements and Main Results: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to three equal groups of eight: sham shock; hemorrhagic shock; and hemorrhagic shock plus bile duct drainage. The messenger RNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-[alpha], interleukin-6 in the intestine, liver, and lung tissue from the three groups were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] was analyzed in the bile of the rats by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histology of intestine, liver, and lung was performed in all groups by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The messenger RNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] was significantly increased in the hemorrhagic shock group compared with the sham shock group (intestine 0.54 ± 0.07 vs. 0.37 ± 0.05, liver 1.01 ± 0.06 vs. 0.56 ± 0.07, lung 0.94 ± 0.07 vs. 0.62 ± 0.06). The messenger RNA expression of interleukin-6 was also significantly increased in the hemorrhagic shock group compared with the sham shock group (intestine 0.89 ± 0.12 vs. 0.50 ± 0.09, liver 1.07 ± 0.10 vs. 0.57 ± 0.12, lung 1.09 ± 0.09 vs. 0.67 ± 0.06). Biliary tract external drainage reduced significantly the messenger RNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] (intestine 0.43 ± 0.06 vs. 0.54 ± 0.07, liver 0.74 ± 0.18 vs. 1.01 ± 0.06, lung 0.87 ± 0.15 vs. 0.94 ± 0.07) and interleukin-6 (intestine 0.60 ± 0.11 vs. 0.89 ± 0.12, liver 0.71 ± 0.16 vs. 1.07 ± 0.10, lung 0.88 ± 0.25 vs. 1.09 ± 0.09). The concentration of tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] in bile was significantly higher in the hemorrhagic shock group compared with the sham shock group (31.22 ± 6.44 ng/mL vs. 15.49 ± 3.64 ng/mL,p< .01). The histologic observation of the intestine, liver, and lung showed that the biliary tract external drainage significantly attenuate the putrescence and exfoliation of intestinal villi, denaturation and putrescence of hepatocytes, edema, and inflammatory cells infiltration of lung. Conclusions: Biliary tract external drainage decreases the messenger RNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-[alpha], interleukin-6 and attenuate the tissue injury of the intestine, liver, and lung in rats model of hemorrhagic shock. The gut-liver axis was implicated to play a crucial role in hemorrhagic shock-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Histomorphology and proteomics analysis of human fetus liver

To investigate the histomorphology and protein expression profiles of human fetal liver at different developmental stages. The protein expression patterns of human fetus livers at early and late stages were profiled by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. The differentially expressed proteins were identified by searching the protein databases with Mascot or ProFound softwares. The obvious differences between early and late fetus liver were not only in morphology but also in protein expression profiles. Compared with protein expression pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma, 32 differential or similar protein spots were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS, and 26 proteins, including proteins involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis and metabolism, were identified. The data suggest that the hepatic cancer cells regain some characteristics of fetal hepatic cells during the process of carcinogenesis.

Cage culture effects on mullets (Mugilidae) liver histology and blood chemistry profile

A comparative study of blood chemistry and histology was conducted on two groups of mullets (Mugilidae) living under different conditions with different feed sources. The aquaculture influenced mullet group (AIM), was collected near fish farms and the control group of mullet (CM) was caught in the waters without any aquaculture activities. Histological and biochemical procedures were employed to study liver histomorphology, plasma aspartate and alanine aminotransferase (AST, ALT), triglyceride (TRIG), cholesterol (CHOL), glucose (GLU) and total protein (TP) of both AIM and CM. Moderate histological changes (lipid infiltration) were observed in the liver of AIM. Significant changes in plasma variables were observed in AIM. Blood chemistry variables measured proved to be good indicators of artificial feed effects. Classical statistical approaches were applied to the blood chemistry and histopathology data. For the first time machine learning techniques were used to generate comprehensible classification models and to explore blood chemistry variable importance, strength, their mutual interactions or dependencies, and to investigate reliability of particular variables within the groups.

Histology of the liver of Oligosarcus jenynsii (Ostariophysi, Characidae) from Los Padres Lake, Argentina

The liver is an organ notable for its sensitivity to a great variety of environmental factors. It is composed of a parenchyma divided into irregular lobules by the exocrine pancreas or hepatopancreas; the pancreatic cells are arranged around a branch of the portal vein. The hepatocytes are radially arranged in cords around a central sinusoid. The liver histomorphology and the organization of exocrine pancreatic tissue of O. jenynsii (Günther, 1864) is similar to the acinar morphology of many teleosts, including freshwater and marine species. The aim of the present work was to carry out the histological analysis of the liver of Oligosarcus jenynsii, one of the most common species inhabiting Los Padres Lake (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina).

Blood Chemistry and Histological Properties of Wild and Cultured Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in the North Adriatic Sea

Histological and biochemical procedures were employed to study liver histomorphology and plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferases (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride (TRIG), cholesterol (CHOL), glucose (GLU) and total protein (TP) in cultured (CSB) and wild sea bass (WSB) (Dicentrarchus labrax) from the northern part of the Adriatic Sea. Histopathological changes in liver included varying degrees of infiltration and lipid degeneration of hepatocytes in examined cultured fish. No significant differences between median AST values of CSB (44 IU) and WSB (45 IU) were observed. Values of ALT were <5 IU in both groups. TRIG, CHOL, GLU and TP levels were higher in CSB (2.08 mmol/L, 3.67 mmol/L, 10.66 mmol/L and 49 g/L, respectively) than in WSB (0.67 mmol/L, 2.74 mmol/L, 3.68 mmol/L and 36 g/L, respectively). The study showed differences between plasma biochemical parameters and liver histomorphology of CSB and WSB. This can be explained as a consequence of different diets (artificial in contrast to natural foods), which influence energy metabolism.

Recent-onset autoimmune hepatitis. Biopsy findings and clinical correlations.

Whereas the histologic findings in clinically "chronic" autoimmune hepatitis have been well established, with piecemeal necrosis as a hallmark lesion, the histologic findings of clinically "acute" or recent-onset autoimmune hepatitis remain undefined. The goal of this study was to define more fully the liver histomorphology in patients with recent-onset autoimmune hepatitis. Twenty-six patients were identified at our institution who had well-characterized autoimmune hepatitis and had undergone a liver biopsy within 6 months of clinical presentation. A detailed histologic evaluation revealed evidence of chronic liver disease in 25 (of 26) patients despite the lack of correlating clinical chronicity. The histologic evidence of chronicity included, in addition to a portal lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, bridging (septal) fibrosis (11 patients) and overt cirrhosis (four patients). Eighteen of these 25 cases with evidence of chronicity also showed zone 2 and 3 lobular hepatitis, including disarray and hepatocyte necrosis. A single case showed lobular hepatitis with confluent hepatocyte necrosis (submassive hepatocellular necrosis), but no evidence of chronic liver disease. Although autoimmune hepatitis remains in the differential diagnosis of lobular hepatitis, these data show that most patients with autoimmune hepatitis who undergo biopsy early in its clinical course will have histologic evidence of chronic liver disease. Most of these patients probably have a lobular "flare" in disease activity, which likely precipitated the clinical presentation. The findings herein reinforce the concept that autoimmune hepatitis is by definition a chronic disease and supports the proposal that the modifier "chronic" be eliminated from autoimmune hepatitis.

Correlations of liver echo intensity with cytology and chemical measurements of fat, water and protein content in live burbots ( Lota lota)

Six live burbot fish ( Lota lota) were examined on the 1st, 7th and 15th day after capture. The echo intensity of the liver tissue was correlated with chemically measured fat and water content and with the tissue cytology. At the end of the study, the collagen and total protein contents of the livers were also measured. The increasing size of fat droplets and clustering of droplets correlated well with the echo intensity ( p = 0.0012), but there was no statistically significant correlation between echo intensity and chemically measured fat concentration ( p = 0.1989). These results indicate that the echogenicity is a function of the liver histomorphology. No significant correlation was found between the echo intensity and liver collagen, total protein content, or amounts of water. The burbots tolerated transport and repeated anesthesia and appear well suited for experimental ultrasound studies.