ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the relationship of phosphatase and tensin homology (PTEN) deleted on chromosome ten with the apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in liver tissues of rats with hepatic fibrosis induced by bile stagnation.Methods Fifty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into model group (n=40) and sham operation group (n=10).The model of hepatic fibrosis was reproduced in model group by common bile duct ligation (BDL).Liver tissue of rats in model group (1,2,3 and 4 weeks after BDL) and sham operation group were obtained.PTEN expression in liver tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.Apoptosis of HSC was determined by dual staining of terminal deoxynucleotidy transferase UTP-nick end labeling (TUNEL) and ?-SMA immunohistochemistry.Results Only a few apoptotic HSCs were found in normal livers.With the development of liver fibrosis,the expression of PTEN decreased gradually (P