elastin and Liver-Diseases--Alcoholic

Increased elastic stained material has been described in fibrotic and cirrhotic liver processes. The aim of this work was to follow the development and distribution of elastic fibers from 48 chronic alcoholic patients. Patients were scored for fibrosis as 0, without fibrosis or minimal (n = 5); 1, incipient or early fibrosis (n = 9); 2, fibrosis or incomplete cirrhosis (n = 12); and 3, cirrhosis (n = 22). Elastica staining was performed by orcein, resorcin-fuchsin and iron hematoxylin and confirmed by immunofluorescence staining with an anti-human elastin antibody (Institut Pasteur). Electron microscopy of representative cases of each group and electron microscopy of immunolabelled elastin (n = 5) were also performed. In early alcoholic fibrosis, oxytalan fibers were pointed out in terminal hepatic veins and in Disse space. In fibrous portal extensions and cirrhotic internodular septa, oxytalan and elaunin fibers represented the major elastin components in association with the alcoholic liver fibroplasia. Immunostaining with anti-elastin Ab exhibits the same distribution as with histochemical methods in portal and septal zones. Electron microscopy confirmed abundant microfibrillar bundles between collagen fibers that mesh and are in continuity with elaunin fibers. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed elastin deposits in the amorphous material and in association with the microfibrillar material in the portal and septal zones and disclosed elastin even in the thin strands of fibrotic tissue. In conclusion, elastogenesis, mainly represented by oxytalan and elaunin fibers, develops in alcoholic disease and takes part, with collagen deposits, in the fibrotic process.

Topics: Collagen; Elastin; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Liver Circulation; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; Microscopy, Electron; Venules

During the early phases of alcoholic hepatic fibrosis, histochemical studies show positivity to both specific elastin and the specific collagen stains at the level of the centrolobular vein, the portal triad and portacaval anastomosis. Ultrastructural investigation in the portacaval anastomosis demonstrates the presence of collagen fibrils and afibrillar material. Treatment with tannic acid increases the contrast of these structures. The possible correlations between histochemical and ultrastructural findings are discussed.

Topics: Collagen; Elastin; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Liver; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; Staining and Labeling