Ultrastructural changes in TAA induced hepatic cirrhosis in rats

Objective To observe the ultrastructural changes in liver after portal hypertension in rats.Methods A total of 50 rats were divided into the model groups(40)and control groups(10).The rats in the model group accepted 0.03% TAA administration.Five weeks later,the concentration of TAA was changed to 0.04% for induction for 10 weeks to establish the model of portal hypertension.The pressure of superior mesenteric vein was determined and cirrhotic liver samples obtained.The ultrastructuraI changes of were observed under electron microscope.Results The fenestra quantity of endothelial cells was significantly lower in the model group(P＜0.01).The portal vein pressure was markedly higher in the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Hepatic sinusoid capillarization plays an important role in occurrence of portal hypertension.The fenestra of endothelial cells in hepatic sinusoid reduces and the diameter of fenestra decreases.The formation of basement membrane impaires the substance exchange between blood and hepatic cells,which results in oxygen deficiency,metabolic product accumulation and cell necrosis. Key words: Liver cirrhosis; Portal hypertension; Fenestra; Endothelial cell; Electron microscope