Glycosaminoglycan containing fat-storing cells in hepatic fibrogenesis.
Male F-344 rats were treated for 10 weeks either with CCl4 (0.2 ml/kg, per os, twice a week) or with CCl4 (same as above) and phenobarbital (0.2 g/l in drinking water). Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis developed in both treated groups, and was confirmed histologically. Cirrhosis was more frequent after the CCl4 + phenobarbital treatment. The collagen content of the liver, measured by morphometry and biochemically, was significantly higher in the animals of the group treated with CCl4 + phenobarbital than in the animals treated only with CCl4. Specially altered fat-storing cells (Ito cells) were found in the periportal and septal fibrotic areas in direct proportion to the amount of fibrosis and cirrhosis. They were identified as altered fat-storing cells by their desmin content and Vitamin A storing capability. This study demonstrated that these cells were enlarged and contained neutral fat, lipofuscin and PAS-positive material. The potential role of GAG-containing FSC in fibrogenesis is discussed.
Szende
B
B
1st Institute of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis Medical School, Budapest, Hungary.
Lapis
K
K
Timár
J
J
Schaff
Z
Z
Simon
K
K
Jeney
A
A
Divald
A
A
Paku
S
S
Timár
F
F
D000818:Animals; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010634:Phenobarbital; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D008055:Lipids; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D010634:Phenobarbital