EXPERIMENTAL LAENNEC TYPE OF CIRRHOSIS IN MONKEYS

Abstract

Two male, young Cebus monkeys served as their own controls for a preliminary observation period of 1.5 years after which they were given a cirrhogenic diet for 17 months. The cirrhogenic diet was low in protein, free of choline and rich in cholesterol. For 2 brief intervals during these 17 months they received a complete, nutritious diet to prevent their death. Both animals developed a Laennec type of early cirrhosis. Other methods failed to produce cirrhosis in monkeys. After the diagnosis was established by laparotomy and histopathology, the animals were given a fully nutritious regimen as a therapeutic trial for 9 months. Portal hypertension, icterus and ascites disappeared. The clinical condition of the animals and the gross appearance of their livers improved considerably, but the histologic picture could not be reversed to normal within that period. Serum protein determinations showed an inversion of the albumin/globulin ratio, which persisted despite proper therapeutic management and clinical rehabilitation. The data are in keeping with the clinicopathologic concept, that cirrhosis is induced by a combination of etiologic factors but not by any single cause. Equally important factors in the induction of cirrhosis are the nutritional state of the liver cells, hepatic injury and the ability of the liver to repair inflicted damage by regeneration. The possibility was considered that autoimmunization against liver cell protein altered by injury may perpetuate the cirrhotic process, but this speculation requires further careful studies.