Cardiac and renal effects of liver cirrhosis in a growing animal model

To assess the biochemical, histological, histomorphometric and molecular effects of biliary duct ligation (BDL) induced liver cirrhosis in the heart and kidneys.

Thirty-two weaning rats (21 days old, 50-70 g) underwent BDL and were divided in four groups (euthanasia after two, four, six, and eight weeks, respectively) and compared to control groups.

The animals' hearts of group 3 were bigger than those of the control group (p=0.042), including thinner right ventricle wall, decreased internal diameter of ventricles, and increased perivascular collagen deposition in left ventricle, as well as increased interstitial collagen in right ventricle after six weeks. In the kidneys of groups 3 and 4, bilirubin impregnation in the tubules, hydropic degeneration, loss of nuclei and lack of plasmatic membrane limits were noted. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene expressions were higher in group 1 (p=0.008), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene expressions were elevated in all experimental groups (p=0.008, p=0.001, p=0.022, and p=0.013, respectively). In the heart, a decreased expression of eNOS in group 1 (p=0.04) was observed.

Liver cirrhosis leads to histological and histomorphometric alterations in the heart and kidneys, with changes in the NOS and eNOS gene expressions, that may suggest a role in the associated myocardial and renal manifestations.