Abstract

CRUZ AMAYA, Jorge Mario et al. Effect of the application of dexamethasone on the evolution of the chronic liver disease, in a murine experimental model. Rev. Lasallista Investig. [online]. 2011, vol.8, n.2, pp.33-39. ISSN 1794-4449.

Introduction. Liver cirrhosis is one of the biggest public health problems Worldwide. There have been great advances in learning about the molecular aspects of this disease. The detailed knowledge of such mechanism would be the basis of research about the therapeutic possibilities in the reversal of fibrogenesis. Objective. To Determine the effect of the therapy with dexomethasone on fibrogénesis and on the liver's function in a cirrhosis murine experimental model. Materials and method. 36 Wistar rats were used. They came from the Universidad de Caldas' vivarium and they were given cirrhosis with carbon tetrachloride (CCI4). The project was supported by the Universidad de Caldas' Ethics Commission for Research with Animals. Two treatments were taken (T1=CCI4 and T2=CCI4 + dexamethasone). Samples were taken every two weeks for histopathology and plasma albumin measurement. Those treatments were distributed in an Unrestricted Random Design, made up by 2 treatments, 5 repetitions and three animals per experimental unit and a control group (n=6). A variance analysis (ANOVA) was performed, fixing a p<0.05 and the Turkey's multiple comparison test was performed when a statistically significant difference appeared. Results. Significant differences were not observed in the fibrogenesis, leukocyte infiltration and vacuolar degeneration between treatments. In T2, reduced food consumption and a body weight loss statistically inferior to that of T1 were observed. Conclusion. The application of dexamethasone kept a superior plasma albumin level, which possibly means a better function of the liver. No differences were observed in the fibrogenesis progression with this treatment.

Keywords : albumin; cirrhosis; corticosteroids; fibrogenesis.

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