THE CONTENT OF RETINOL AND α-TOCOPHEROL IN EXPERIMENTAL LIVER FIBROSIS IN RATS
Abstract
Background. The content of retinol and α-tocopherol in the human body affects the development and progression of chronic liver diseases and is associated with the functioning of perisinusoidal lipocytes (HSC) and the state of biological membranes. Objective – to evaluate the content of retinol and α-tocopherol in blood plasma and liver tissue in the dynamics of experimental liver fibrosis in rats. Material and methods. Modeling of liver fibrosis / cirrhosis was carried out on sexually mature male rats by intraperitoneal administration of thioacetamide (TAA) solution at a dose of 200 mg / kg every other day for 4 and 12 weeks. The control group of animals received an equal volume of saline. The concentration of α-tocopherol and retinol was determined by S.L. Taylor’s method. Results. In rat liver preparations, 4 weeks after administration of TAA solution to animals, signs of FII-III stage of fibrosis were observed. According to electron microscopy, HSCs were in a transitional state and acquired a more elongated shape; the number of lipid inclusions in their cytoplasm decreased. The administration of TAA for 12 weeks led to the formation of liver cirrhosis in rats, with characteristic macro- and microscopic changes. On light microscopy, the number of HSCs decreased in rat liver preparations 3 months after administration of TAA; activated HSCs were encountered, which acquired an elongated shape and lost lipid inclusions. The content of retinol in the 2nd group of animals (with liver fibrosis stage II-III) was 2.2 times higher than in the control group, and 1.8 times higher than in the 3rd group with liver cirrhosis (p < 0.05). The content of retinol in the liver tissue after 4 weeks of TAA administration decreased by 11.7%, after 12 weeks - by 1.5 times. The level of α-tocopherol in the liver at the stage of fibrosis FII-III decreased by 21% compared with the control group, at the stage of cirrhosis - by 2 times. Conclusion. The use of thioacetamide in rats for 1 and 3 months leads to the development of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. A decrease in the content of retinol and α-tocopherol in the liver occurs with the progression of liver fibrosis / cirrhosis. The high content of retinol and α-tocopherol in plasma at the stage of liver fibrosis FII-III is due to degranulation (activation) of HSC.References
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