Deletion of hyperplastic biliary epithelial cells by apoptosis following removal of the proliferative stimulus.

Abstract

Regression of bile ductular hyperplasia following elimination of the proliferative stimulus is widely recognised but the mode of deletion of the excess biliary epithelial cells (BEC) is not understood. Apoptosis, a process of cell death distinct from coagulative necrosis, is known to be involved in both atrophy and physiological involution of various organs. Therefore, a time course histological study was made of the frequency of apoptosis among BEC following removal of the proliferative stimulus in two rat models of BEC hyperplasia produced by the feeding of alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT) for 6 weeks or the ligation of the common bile duct for 5 weeks. In the former, the rats were ret..