title: Tamoxifen decreases the myofibroblast count in the healing bile duct tissue of pigs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral tamoxifen treatment on the number of myofibroblasts present during the healing process after experimental bile duct injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 16 pigs that were divided into two groups (the control and study groups). Incisions and suturing of the bile ducts were performed in the two groups. Tamoxifen (20 mg/day) was administered only to the study group. The animals were sacrificed after 30 days. Quantification of myofibroblasts in the biliary ducts was made through immunohistochemistry analysis using anti-alpha smooth muscle actin of the smooth muscle antibody. Immunohistochemical quantification was performed using a digital image system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the animals treated with tamoxifen (20 mg/day), there was a significant reduction in immunostaining for alpha smooth muscle actin compared with the control group (0.1155 vs. 0.2021, p = 0.046).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tamoxifen reduced the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin in the healing tissue after bile duct injury, suggesting a decrease in myofibroblasts in the scarred area of the pig biliary tract. These data suggest that tamoxifen could be used in the prevention of biliary tract stenosis after bile duct surgeries.
authors: Fluminense Federal University, Department of General and Specialized Surgery, Niterói/RJ, Brazil. ohksiqueira@gmail.com
authors: Orlando Hiroshi Kiono
authors: OH
authors: Siqueira
authors: Benedito
authors: B
authors: Herani Filho
authors: Rafael Erthal de
authors: RE
authors: Paula
authors: Fábio Otero
authors: FO
authors: Ascoli
authors: Antonio Cláudio Lucas da
authors: AC
authors: Nóbrega
authors: Angela Cristina Gouvêa
authors: AC
authors: Carvalho
authors: Andréa Rodrigues Cordovil
authors: AR
authors: Pires
authors: Nicolle Cavalcante
authors: NC
authors: Gaglionone
authors: Karin Soares Gonçalves
authors: KS
authors: Cunha
authors: José Mauro
authors: JM
authors: Granjeiro
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries*; D002452:Cell Count; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013552:Swine; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D013629:Tamoxifen