ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To document morphological changes in hepatic microcirculation in liver tissue with hepatitis B and the pathogenesis of hepatic microcirculatory disturbances.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Liver tissue samples were obtained from patients with hepatitis B by liver biopsy. These samples were examined with a light microscope and transmission electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hepatic microcirculatory disturbances existed in patients with hepatitis B, including those with normal liver function, manifested by red blood cell aggregation in sinusoids seen under light microscope and sinusoidal capillarization seen under electron microscope. Weibel-Palade bodies in sinusoidal endothelial cells were seen in 26 out of 53 cases. Intimate contacts were found between lymphocyte/Kupffer cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hepatic microcirculatory disturbances exist in patients with hepatitis B. The appearance of Weibel-Palade bodies in sinusoidal endothelial cells may be a key step in the development of hepatic microcirculatory disturbances.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Hepatitis B, Chronic , Pathology , Liver , Pathology , Liver Circulation , Microcirculation , Pathology , Microscopy, ElectronABSTRACT
Objective To observe the morphological changes of sinusoidal endothelial cells(SECs) in the patients with chronic hepatitis B, and to study the relationship between the SECs changes and the development of hepatic microcirculation disorders. Methods The liver biopsy tissues from fifty three cases with hepatitis B were observed with light microscope and transmitted electronic microscope. Results The morphologies of SECs in patients with chronic hepatitis B changed significantly. The main manifestations included decreased sizes and reduced numbers of penestrate on SECs, basal membrane formation, cellular connection development between SECs, occurrence of WP bodies in SECs and the disappearance of SECs. The intimate contact occurred between SEC and lymphocyte or Kupffer cell. Conclusions The morphologies of SECs in patients with chronic hepatitis B develop significant change, which might be the initial step in the development of hepatic microcirculation disturbances.