Oval cell numbers in human chronic liver diseases are directly related to disease severity

The risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma is significantly increased in patients with genetic hemochromatosis, alcoholic liver disease, or chron ic hepatitis C infection. The precise mechanisms underlying the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in these conditions are not well understood. S tem cells within the liver, termed oval cells, are involved in the pathogen esis of hepatocellular carcinoma in animal models and may be important in t he development of hepatocellular carcinoma in human chronic Liver diseases, The aims of this study were to determine whether oval cells could be detec ted in the liver of patients with genetic hemochromatosis, alcoholic liver disease, or chronic hepatitis C, and whether there is a relationship betwee n the severity of the liver disease and the number of oval cells. Oval cell s were detected using histology and immunohistochemistry in liver biopsies from patients with genetic hemochromatosis, alcoholic liver disease, or chr onic hepatitis C, Oval cells were not observed in normal liver controls. Ov al cell numbers increased significantly with the progression of disease sev erity from mild to severe in each of the diseases studied. We conclude that oval cells are frequently found in subjects with genetic hemochromatosis, alcoholic liver disease, or chronic hepatitis C. There is an association be tween severity of Liver disease and increase in the number of oval cells co nsistent with the hypothesis that oval cell proliferation is associated wit h increased risk for development of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic liv er disease.