title: Hemodynamics in the microvasculature of thioacetamide-induced cirrhotic rat livers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the hepatic microcirculatory changes in liver cirrhosis, in vivo microscopic findings were assessed quantitatively in cirrhotic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using in vivo microscopy, the blood flow velocity through terminal portal venules and terminal hepatic venules, and their diameters were measured. The rats were classified into a normal group, fibrosis group, and cirrhosis group, histopathologically. To estimate intrahepatic blood flow of the liver surface, laser-Doppler flowmeter was used for the three groups, and portal venous pressures were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood flow velocity through terminal portal venules increased significantly in cirrhosis rats. However, among the three groups, there were no significant differences with blood flow velocity through terminal portal venules, diameters of terminal portal venules and terminal hepatic venules. Portal venous pressure and intrahepatic blood flow of the liver surface increased significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate that pre-sinusoidal alterations to hemodynamics become manifest in the liver cirrhosis, which might be related to intrahepatic shunt formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Osaka City University Medical School, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan. mananakata@aol.com
authors.forename: Manabu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakata
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Koda
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaminou
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ugami
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaneda
authors.forename: Ryusaku
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yamada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013853:Thioacetamide / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D013853:Thioacetamide