Morphological and Biochemical Substantiation of Hepatic Changes at Opisthorchosis

Abstract

The purpose of the research is comparing structural changes in the liver of rabbits with biochemical parameters at opisthorchosis under experimental conditions.

Materials and methods. Laboratory studies included a biochemical blood test to determine the amount of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as the main markers of inflammation and their ratio, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH (total)), creatine kinase – CPK-MF (muscle), and uric acid. Morphological changes in the liver were determined using light microscopy and analysis of a macroscopic pattern. Histological sections of the liver were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and according to Van Gieson (to identify the degree of proliferation of connective tissue).

Results and discussion. A biochemical study obtained an excess of KFK-MV by 1.93 times, and LDH by 5.4 times in infected animals. The amount of uric acid was within normal limits. AST and ALT were within normal limits, but the ratio confirmed the inflammatory process. Macroscopic examination revealed fibrosis of the edge of the hepatic lobes in the form of a tape. Microscopic examination revealed a sectoral lesion of the liver parenchyma with loss of cytoarchitectonics and proliferation of connective tissue between the lobules. Hepatocytes lying on the periphery of the lobes had more pronounced structural changes compared to the central ones. Segregation of cytoplasmic glycogen granules and nuclear swelling were noted in the cytoplasm of peripherally located hepatocytes. Thus, changes in the liver that occur during opisthorchosis at the cellular and tissue levels are confirmed by an increase in individual biochemical parameters and morphological changes in the liver, as one of the central organs of biochemical processes.