A specific lesion of the liver was observed in the rat fed on a basic diet for up to 82 weeks after a short term (1, 2, 4 weeks) administration of 3'-Me-DAB.
Proliferation of oval cells was seen in the periportal area shortly after the cessation of 3'-Me-DAB administration for 4 weeks. This proliferation at the same time, showed ducts formed by atypical epithelial cells.
Cholangiofibrosis, a proliferation of ducts with fibrous tissue, developed into nodules and continued to grow, while the oval cells gradually disappeared after the cessation of 3'-Me-DAB. There was found to be a close relationship in distribution among the proliferation of the oval cells, the appearance of atypical ducts, and the formation of nodules of cholangiofibrosis.
An active proliferation of epithelial lining cells was seen in cystic dilated ducts.
Cholangiocarcinoma occurred in one rat on a basic diet for 40 weeks, after the cessation of 3'-Me-DAB for 4 weeks.
The following three points have been discussed:
1. The relation among oval cells, atypical epithelial cells, and epithelial lining cells of the duct in cholangiofibrosis.
2. Irreversibility of the lesion of cholangiofibrosis.
3. Possibility of histopathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma arising from the epithelial lining cells of the duct in cholangiofibrosis.
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