Disturbance of hepatic and intestinal microcirculation in experimental liver cirrhosis.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze hepatic, mesenteric and mucosal microcirculation and leukocyte-endothelium interaction (LEI) in a rat model with liver cirrhosis.


METHODS
Hepatic cirrhosis was induced in Wistar rats by gavage with carbon tetrachloride, and intravital videomicroscopy was performed in liver, mesentery and small intestine mucosa. Special emphasis is given on microcirculatory and morphometric changes during cirrhotic portal hypertension.


RESULTS
LEI was influenced significantly in the cirrhotic liver but not in the gut. Blood flow measurement showed significant differences among liver, main mesenteric vessels and the mucosa. The results of our study indicate that liver cirrhosis leads to alterations in hepatic and mesenteric blood flow but not in mucosal blood flow.


CONCLUSIONS
The enhanced inflammatory response in hepatic microvessels may be caused by a decrease of antithrombin III levels and could be responsible for disturbances of organ pathology.
Maksan
Sasa-Marcel
SM
Department of Surgery, University of Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, D-55131 Mainz, Germany. maksan@ach.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Ryschich
Eduard
E
Ulger
Zilfi
Z
Gebhard
Martha Maria
MM
Schmidt
Jan
J
D000818:Animals; D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000378:metabolism; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000502:physiology*
D000990:Antithrombin III