The possible protective effect of green tea versus interferon-α on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in albino rat: light and electron microscopic study

Introduction: Liver fibrosis is a major health problem that can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Aim of the work: To study the possible protective effect of green tea extract versus interferon-α (IFN-α) in an animal model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis. Materials and methods: The study was carried out on 60 adult male albino rats weighing 200–230 g. The rats were randomly divided into four main groups (15 rats each): group A included control rats, group B included rats that received an intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (1 ml/kg body weight, twice weekly) to induce liver fibrosis, group C included rats that received both CCl4 (as in group B) and green tea extract (60 mg/rat/daily) by gavage, and group D included rats that received a subcutaneous injection of both CCl4 and IFN-α (100 000 IU/rat/daily). After 8 weeks, blood samples were collected for the assessment of serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and the liver was rapidly excised and processed for light and electron microscopic study. Results: Light microscopic examination of group B liver sections showed that the liver parenchyma was disorganized and totally replaced by pseudolobules well demarcated by thick connective tissue septa. The majority of the hepatocytes were enlarged and showed a pale, markedly vacuolated cytoplasm and darkly stained small eccentric nuclei. The hepatocytes also showed loss of their PAS-positive glycogen granules. Electron microscopic study of the hepatocytes showed multiple large lipid globules compressing the nuclei and electron-dense mitochondria. In addition, Kupffer cells were increased in number. The intercellular space was widened and showed numerous Ito cells and abundant collagen fibers. In group C, the liver sections appeared more or less similar to those of the control group, whereas the hepatic tissue of group D showed intermediate histological alterations between both groups B and D. Biochemical data analysis supported the histological findings. Conclusion:The current findings suggest that green tea exerts a more potent protective effect than IFN-α against CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis. It may be recommended as an adjuvant therapy for patients with hepatic fibrosis.