Immunhistochemical investigations in sheep with parasitary liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis significantly effect human and animal health in our country and worldwide. In this study, 30 sheep liver tissues with macroscopical parasitary fibrosis were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically (α-SMA, iNOS COX-2, p53 and PCNA). Livers were excessively firm and pale due to intense fibrosis. Bile ducts were dilated and had thickened walls. Cross section of liver was covered with white firm fibrotic foci and brownish mucous exudate and adult parasites were observed in bile ducts. According to the histopathological examination; hepatocytes were swollen, eosinophilic and had granules. In portal region; mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis were formed containing lymphocytes, macrophages and eosinophils. In epithelium of bile ducts containing parasites, hyperplasia was present and mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis were observed at the surrounding bile ducts with variable severity. In the center, nodules (pseudolobulus) were formed by regenerated hepatocytes which did not have central veins. Besides, granulomes surrounded by fibrous tissue containing polynucleated giant cells and mononuclear cells were observed. According to immunohistochemical examination; stronger positivity was observed in SMA, iNOS, COX-2, p53 and PCNA compared to control group. Strong immunopositivity with variable severity for α-SMA was observed in prolipherated myofibroblasts ; for iNOS was observed in macrophages, giant cells and endothelium cells of vessels; for p53 was observed in hepatocyte cytoplasms and giant cells in granulomes; for COX-2 was observed in myofibroblasts, smooth muscle cells of vessels and in mononuclear cell infiltrations; for PCNA was observed in epithelial cells of bile ducts, fibroblasts and hepatocytes. It is concluded that, in fibrosis using α-SMA in order to present connective tissue increase; using COX-2 as fibrosis and cirrhosis are in the basis of liver tumors and COX-2 has a role in wound healing; using PCNA in order to evaluate increase proliferation, using p53 for apoptosis, using iNOS antibody as its secreted from macrophages were found beneficial.