The effect of passive smoking on the structure of hepatocytes and the state of the microcirculatory bed in the liver in rats

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Smoking is an important societal problem that greatly threatens the health of the population. AIMS: To study the effect of smoking on the hepatobiliary system of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 46 outbred white male rats. The control group comprised intact animals (n=10). The experimental rats in groups 1 (n=12), 2 (n=12), and 3 (n=12) were exposed to an atmosphere of tobacco smoke for 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively. RESULTS: The greatest changes in the liver were noted in the third group. Small foci of necrosis were detected, around which a perifocal inflammatory reaction occurred. Signs of hydropic dystrophy and the presence of acidophilic lumps around the nuclei and thrombotic masses in the vessels were found. Signs of the capillaryization of the sinusoids were revealed. In all experimental groups, the number of cells up to 10 m in diameter significantly increased. The percentage of cells with a diameter of up to 1020 m increased in the central zone in group 1; that in group 2 increased by 3 and 2.6 times in the central and peripheral zones, respectively; and that in group 3 increased by 3.4 and 2.8 times in the central and peripheral zones, respectively (p 0.001). The number of cells with a diameter of up to 2030 m decreased in group 1, that in in group 2 decreased by 1.9 and 1.5 times in the central and peripheral zones, respectively; and that in group 3 decreased by 2.7 and 2.0 times in the central and peripheral zones, respectively (p 0.001). The number of cells with a diameter of more than 30 had changed and showed the greatest changes in the peripheral zones: that in groups 1 and 2 decreased by 2.7 times, and that in group 3 decreased by 2.9 times. CONCLUSIONS: Under tobacco smoke intoxication in rats, dystrophic and necrobiotic changes occurred in the liver, the number of binuclear cells decreased, the number of normal hepatocytes with a diameter of 2030 m decreased, and the percentage of cells with diameters of up to 10 and 1020 m increased.