Abstract:

Objective Due to the distortion of hepatic cells in hepatic steatosis, the characteristics of blood flow in the liver could change. This study observed the morphology, blood flow velocity and tortuosity changes aimed to help the diagnosis and treatment in the hepatic steatosis. Methods The hepatic steatosis model was established by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and olive oil in mice, and then liver tissue was stained with HE and oil red O staining. Laser ultrasound was used to measure the blood flow changes in the superficial hepatic vessels of the left lobe. The mice’s tail veins were injected with Texas red fluorescent dye, then two-photon fluorescence microscopy were used to detect the flow of red blood cells in mice’s hepatic sinusoids, blood vessel diameter, the hepatic sinusoidal tortuosity. Results After injected with CCl₄ for two(n=16) or four(n=16) weeks, the oil red O staining indicated lipid accumulation in hepatic cells, especially around the central vein. HE staining indicated narrowing of the hepatic sinusoidal vessels, and more obviously in 4-weeks group. As the modeling time increased, the blood flow velocity decreased gradually in hepatic sinusoids and superficial hepatic vessels in the left lobe, and the diameter of the hepatic sinusoids became smaller. Conclusion In the hepatic steatosis, the internal diameter of hepatic sinus decreases, and the blood flow also decreases in the hepatic sinusoids, but hepatic sinusoidal tortuosity increases. All of this provide a visual morphological experimental basis for the early diagnosis and treatment to the hepatic steatosis.

Key words: Hepatic steatosis, Hemodynamics, Hepatic sinusoid, Tortuosity, Two-photon fluorescence microscopy, Mouse