Regenerative pattern of liver cells in primary biliary cirrhosis, alcoholic cirrhosis, posthepatitic cirrhosis (HBV-related) and hepatocellular carcinoma: comparative analysis by computerized morphometry.

Computerized morphometrical measurements were made of liver cells and their nuclei taken from biopsy specimens of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), alcoholic cirrhosis, posthepatitic cirrhosis (HBV-related), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Mallory's stain for collagen fibers, orcein method, periodic acid Schiff (PAS) reaction, and silver impregnation. Light microscopic views were then selected and original liver cells were magnified x 1000. The size of liver cell nuclei, distance between corresponding liver cell nuclei and distribution pattern of hepatocytes were calculated by computer. Variation in regenerative activity among the four disease groups was noted. Regenerative features of liver cells were mild in degree in PBC. In alcoholic cirrhosis, regenerative features of liver cells were less prominent than in posthepatitic cirrhosis. In posthepatitic cirrhosis, regenerative liver cells were well developed, showing remarkable pleomorphism of liver cell nuclei and expansive arrangement of liver cell cords. This tendency towards regenerative activity suggests that the possibility of HCC occurring is greater in posthepatitic cirrhosis than in PBC or alcoholic cirrhosis. It was concluded that morphologically, there is a greater possibility of occurrence of HCC in posthepatitic cirrhosis than in any other type of cirrhosis, because of its high regenerative hepatocytic activity. Also etiological factors of liver diseases are more important in the development of liver cell regeneration. Furthermore, regenerative activity can be measured by computerized morphometry as an established methodology.