Cholangiocarcinoma and liver cirrhosis in relation to changes due to thioacetamide

Different doses of thioacetamide (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15%) were used to induce liver cirrhosis in Wistar rats. Thioacetamide at 0.5% caused cirrhosis by t he twelfth week of treatment. A severe bile duct proliferation and cholangi ocarcinoma was seen at longer intervals. Animals treated with higher doses (0.1 and 0.15%) of thioacetamide developed more severe intense degenerative changes in the liver and died in the twelfth and eighth week respectively. The serum and tissue contents of Zn and Cu changed in a characteristic fas hion that was consistent with the severity of the liver damage. Serum Zn an d Cu concentrations were at their lowest in the animals that developed seve re degenerative liver and died at higher dose (0.15%) of thioacetamide. This study indicates that treatment of rats with 0.05% thiocetamide is more effective and appropriate for the induction of liver cirrhosis. Continued administration of the drug at this dosage led to the development of further changes in the liver. This model may be suitable for studying these long t erm changes that occur in the liver and lead to cirrhosis. Events that prec ede the development of severe bile duct proliferation and cholangiocarcinom a may also be studied.