[Histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the liver and their pathogenesis in burns of rabbits]

48 health male rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: a napalm burn group and a healthy control group. The total area of burn was 30% TBSA full-thickness burn. Blood and liver tissue specimens were taken at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 168 hours postburn for quantitative analysis of serum enzymes, protein and histopathological, subcellular examination of the liver. Results indicated that hepatic pathological changes were characterized by an early onset, severity in extent, wide distribution and diversified morphology. Basic pathological changes in the liver included: (1) degeneration and necrosis of the hepatic cells and their transitional changes; (2) infiltration of inflammatory cells in parenchyma and interstices; (3) proliferation and swelling of Kupffer cells with active phagocytosis and subsequent degeneration. The overall course of changes observed in the liver specimens was divided into four phases: (1) congestive and anoxia phase, (2) inflammation phase, (3) degeneration and necrosis phase, (4) repair phase. The causes and pathogenesis of the four phases were analysed and discussed. Three possibilities of their pathogenesis were suggested according to morphological features and the course of the development of focal intracytoplasmic degeneration (FCD) and lytic necrosis (FCLY).