Ultrastructural changes in hepatocytes after taurine treatment in CCl4 induced liver injury

AIM:To search the organelle based changes in hepatocytes after taurine treatment in experimental liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 administration.METHODS:Thirty rats were divided into two groups.Group 1(η=15)was injected with CCl4 plus taurine and Group 2(η=is)with Ccl4 plus saline for 12 wk.At the end of 12th wk,mitochondria,rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum,and nuclei of hepatocytes were evaluated using a scoring system.The results were compared with histopathological findings,as well.RESULTS:Taurine treatment reduced fibrosis scores significantly as compared to placebo.Organelle injury scores decreased significantly with taurine treatment.Ultrastructural and hiStopathological scores in both groups were in strong correlation(r=0.931 for CCl4 plus taurine and r=0.899 fOr CCl4 plus saline group).CONCLUSION:Organelle based transmission electron microscopy findings can reflect successfully histological results as well as tissue healing in hepatocytes from hepatotoxin-induced liver fibrosis.