EFFECTS OF SPLENECTOMY ON CCL4-INDUCED LIVER FIBROSIS IN RATS

Objective To assess the effects of splenectomy on CCl4-induced liver f ibrosis in rats. Methods Wistar rats were injected with CCl4 subcutane ously for 3 to 15 weeks to develop liver fibrosis. Two hundred and thi rty-six rats were divided into 9 groups: (1) model group without splen ectomy; (2) splenectomized group in which operation was performed befo re induction of fibrosis; (3) sham-operated group in which caparotomy was done before induction of fibrosis; (4)(5)(6) groups in which splen ectomy was performed at the 6th, 9th and 12th week after induction of fibrosis, respectively; and (7) (8) (9) sham operation was also perfor med at the 6th, 9th and 12th week after induction of fibrosis, respect ively. The spleen and liver biopsy, hepatic hydroxyproline, liver homo genate levels of procollagen type III (PC III), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN) and volume density of collagen were examined at different times. Results The results showed that the degree of hepatic damage a nd liver fibrosis in splenectomized group was significantly milder tha n that in model group and sham-operated groups. Splenectomy might dela y the progress of liver fibrosis for about 3 weeks. The role of preven ting rat liver fibrosis was also observed when splenectomy was perform ed after CCl4 induction of fibrosis for 6 and 9 weeks. Conclusions The se results suggest that splenectomy may be of a preventive role agains t CCl4-induced rat liver fibrosis to a certain degree.