Ultrastructural changes of the hepatocytes and biliary epithelia due to Clonorchis sinensis in guinea pigs

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Abstract
The present study was undertaken to observe the changes of hepatocyte and biliary epithelium in the liver of guinea pigs infected with C. sinensis. Ten guinea pigs infected with 500 metacercariae of C. sinensis each were reared for 11 weeks. After sacrifice, the liver tissues were processed both for conventional light microscopy and for electronmicroscopy. The following results were obtained by light and electronmicroscopic observation of these tissue preparations. 1. The dilatation of bile ducts with chronic inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis, and flattening of lining epithelium were observed by light microscopy. Bile duct showed a single low columnar or cuboidal epithelium and subepithelial small round cell infiltration. Papillary proliferation, adenomatous hyperplasia and increase of goblet cells in the subepithelial glands were also noted in some areas of bile ducts. Occasionally, small fibrous nodules in the portal tract replacing bile ducts, surrounded by a heavy infiltrate of small round cells and neutrophils were observed. 2. On light microscopic examination, no cellular damages were seen in the liver cells except mild fatty degeneration. 3. Electronmicroscopic examination of the biliary epithelium revealed increased mucin granules, cytoplasmic projection into lumen, decreased microvilli and obstruction of bile canaliculi. Indistinct and/or irregular appearances of intercellular lateral interdigitation were observed in most of biliary epithelium. 4. On the electronmicrographs of hepatocytes, dilation of endoplasmic reticulum(ER) and destruction of cristae in some mitochondriae were prominent features. Disappearance of cytoplasmic organells and dilatation of bile canaliculi were also monitored. 5. Endothelial cells in the sinusoids were remained intact.