Chronic iron overload in rats induces oval cells in the liver.
Liver damage induced by a variety of agents including hepatocarcinogens, alcohol, and virus induces proliferation of oval cells. In this study, iron overloading of the liver is used as a means of inducing liver damage over an extended period to ascertain whether it promotes the appearance of oval cells. Rats were fed a 2% carbonyl-iron-supplemented diet for 3 or 6 months. Extensive iron deposits appeared periportally in hepatocytes and some Kupffer cells. Iron deposition was less pronounced pericentrally. Small oval-like cells, morphologically and immunocytochemically similar to CDE-derived oval cells, were identified and quantified. They first emerged periportally and subsequently in small tracts or foci nearer central regions and stained positively for alpha-fetoprotein, pi-class glutathione S-transferase, and the embryonic form of pyruvate kinase. They contained very few iron deposits and were classified as iron free. The major difference between CDE- and iron-overload-derived oval cells was that the latter were negative for transferrin. This study shows that cellular changes occurring in iron-overloaded rat liver are similar to those observed in rats placed on a hepatocarcinogenic diet and in rats chronically exposed to alcohol.
Smith
P G
PG
Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia.
Yeoh
G C
GC
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011770:Pyruvate Kinase / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D007501:Iron; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D011770:Pyruvate Kinase