الفهرس 
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Abstract
The alpha isotype of actin expressed by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) reflects their activation to myofibroblast-like cell and has been directly related to liver fibrogenesis in chronic liver disease. AIMS: To evaluate the activation of hepatic stellate cells and its correlation with the degree of the fibrosis in cirrhotic livers, as well as in patients with recurrent HCV chronic hepatitis after liver transplantation. METHODS: Liver biopsy specimens were divided in three groups: (1) cirrhosis post-HCV hepatitis (HCV-C) (n=17), (2) post-transplant recurrent HCV chronic hepatitis (HCV-PTR) (n=35) and (3) normal livers obtained from donors (DL) (n=17). Samples were stained with anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody by immunoperoxidase method and semi-quantitatively evaluated. Liver fibrosis was assessed from specimens stained with Masson’s trichrome. RESULTS: The grade of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive HSCs was significantly higher in the HCV-C group (35.3% G3, 35.3% G4) and HCV-PTR group (58.8% G1) compared to DL group (70.6% G0). The relation between the grade of HSCs and the stage of fibrosis was statistically significant in HCV-PTR group compared to both HCV-C and DL groups. After interferon therapy HSC grade significantly decreased, regardless of the clinical distinction between responders and non-responders. The decrease in HSC grade correlated with the improvement in activity grade.