[Dynamic changes in hepatic myofibroblast of rabbits with Schistosoma japonicum].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the dynamic changes in hepatic myofibroblasts during the formation of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and to investigate the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis.


METHODS
Each rabbit was infected with 80 +/- 1 S japonicum. Liver biopsies were done at different time point after infection and the samples were embedded with paraffin and stained with HE and picric acid-sirius red. The dynamic changes in the areas of granuloma were observed, and the extent of liver fibrosis and the expression of alpha-SMA positive cells were semiquantitated. At the 16th week after infection, the rabbits with S. japonicum were received IFN-gamma after treatment of praziquantel and contrasted with the saline group.


RESULTS
The granuloma appeared at the 6th week after infection and its areas reached the biggest at the 8th week. Then the granuloma shrinked gradually, but the extent of liver fibrosis aggravated progressively. The alpha-SMA positive cells were observed at the 4th week after infection and their number enhanced gradually. The extent of liver and the expression of alpha-SMA positive cells were significantly different between each treated group, and the IFN-gamma treated group showed the best result.


CONCLUSIONS
The myofibroblasts play an essential role in the formation and development of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis.
Yang
Y
Y
Institute of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Medical University, Hangzhou 310003.
Cai
W
W
Jin
G
G
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000473:pathology*
D000199:Actins; D007371:Interferon-gamma