Ultrastructural changes of hepatic stellate cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
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Date
2012-01
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Abstract
Background: Thirty to forty per cent of diabetic patients develops liver cirrhosis. The hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play an essential role in development of liver fibrosis.
Objective: The goal of this study was to demonstrate histological and ultrastructural changes of HSCs in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats by using light (LM) and transmission electron microscopies (TEM).
Materials and Methods: Thirteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Diabetic rats (n=8) were induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg) in citrate buffer (pH 4.5). Each control rat (n=5) was injected with an equal volume of the buffer. The animals were sacrificed at 24 weeks. Liver specimens were examined by utilizing two approaches of LM and TEM, respectively.
Results: Under LM observation, most shape of the diabetic HCSs was spindle. Moreover, there were more numerous collagen fibers in the perisinusoidal space of diabetes. By using TEM, the number of HSCs in diabetic group significantly increased. Furthermore, the HSCs in the diabetic group obviously changed into myofibroblast-like cells. The lipid droplets in the cytoplasm noticeably declined in number, which were replaced by collagen fibers. In addition, dilatation of rER and Golgi complex, increasing in number of mitochondria, and binucleated nuclei occurred in the diabetic group. Also, the collagen fibers were accumulated in diabetic perisinusoidal spaces.
Conclusion: These new observations provide a research perspective on ultrastructural changes of diabetic HSCs in developing liver cirrhosis, which is more than previously considered. This perspective may have important implications for improved therapeutic treatment.
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Keywords
Hepatic stellate cell, streptozotocin, diabetes mellitus
Citation
Sricharoenvej Sirinush, Siratechawiwat Amonrut, Lanlua Passara, Niyomchan Apichaya, Baimai Sani. Ultrastructural changes of hepatic stellate cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Siriraj Medical Journal, 2012 Jan; 64(suppl): 45-48.