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.