Abstract
We investigate apoptosis in the liver with biliary atresia using iramunological staining technique. Liver specimens were obtained from 12 patients with biliary atresia at primary portoenterostomy. Also liver specimens from 6 patients with choledochal cyst, and 6 patients with pyloric stenosis are examined as control. All liver specimens with biliary atresia demonstrate apoptosis either on hepatocytes or intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells. Apoptosis seems to be prominent around portal area, and this distribution is different from physiological apoptosis in normal liver. Mild reverse correlation is seen between severity of apopiosis and age at primary portoenterostomy, however, severity of apoptosis has no relation to degree of liver fibrosis and prognosis. On the other hand, only 1 of 6 patients with choledochal cyst and 2 of 6 with pyloric stenosis show apoptosis. Apoptosis is considered to be physiological cell death, accordingly, presentation of apoptosis does not always indicate morbid condition. However, our results suggest that apoptosis may contribute liver damage in biliary atresia in some degree.
