Histological characterization of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic liver pre- and post-perfusion
Biopsies of the livers pre-, and post-perfusion were stained with H&E and Sirius red to characterize morphology and collagen (Figure 3). In figure 3A, a Sirius red staining of a representative cirrhotic liver and a representative non-cirrhotic liver pre-perfusion is shown. Median percentage of Sirius red staining positive for cirrhotic livers was 36.25(IQR:23.13-64.38) versus 8.5(IQR:5.56-14.44) in the non-cirrhotic livers. In the cirrhotic livers, nodules of regenerating hepatocytes are visible, surrounded by thick bands of fibrous tissue. The extensive fibrosis is accompanied by biliary duct hyperplasia, angiogenesis and inflammation. In the non-cirrhotic livers, minimal to mild periportal and sinusoidal fibrosis was detected (Figure 3B). To investigate the effect of perfusion on the integrity of the livers, biopsies were taken pre- and post-perfusion. Figures 3 show examples of a non-cirrhotic liver and a cirrhotic liver, before perfusion (3C & 3D) and post-perfusion (3E & 3F). The histopathological analysis indicated that the perfusion did not have obvious detrimental morphological effects on the liver tissue.