possible beneficial effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonist [Losartan] in experimental-hepatic fibrosis in albino rats. histological immunohistochemical and biochemical study

ABSTRACT

Hepatic fibrosis is a histological change caused by liver inliammation and characterized by accuix of extracellular matrix protein [ECM]. Losartan is one class of drugs that inhibit the action of angiotensin II [A' H at its receptors. It has been used as antihypertensive in human. Was to clarify the beneficial effect of losartan in experimental liver fibrosis by bile duct li-z. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups; GI [control], Gil operated], Gill [bile duct ligated, BDL] and G VI received losartan at a dose of 5 mg/kg daily after BDL. After fc weeks, blood samples were collected for estimation of serum bilirubin [SB], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspare aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and serum hyaluronic acid [SHA]. Rats were sacrificed and th livers were processed for estimation of hydroxyproline and for histological study. Paraffin sections were stained b H and F, Masson's trichrome and other sections were stained immunohistochemically for desmin. Revealed elevated liver enzymes, serum and tissue fibrosis markers [hyaluronic acid and hydrox-cr together with dramatic histological changes in liver sections of G III [BDL]. Administration of Losartan after BDL C-V showed improvement of biochemical analysis of liver enzymes, fibrosis markers and amelioration of the his o1oria changes of hepatic tissues. Moderate expression of desmin from hepatic stellate cells [HSCs] was also evident Fr this study. That losartan has a benifical effect in liver fibrosis induced by BDL. However, further study for its usefulness in human hepatic fibrosis is recommended