An electron microscopic and morphometric study of ursodeoxycholic effect in primary biliary cirrhosis

: Background/aims: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease that results in cholestasis and bile duct loss. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been shown to reduce hepatocellular damage in PBC. The study attempted to quantify perisinusoidal collagenization and the number of apoptotic bodies in PBC liver biopsies from patients in a randomized control trial treated with UDCA compared to those who received placebo. Methods: Twenty‐eight patients with PBC (10 cirrhotic, 18 non‐cirrhotic; 13 treated with UDCA, 15 treated with placebo) were compared with 32 controls with normal hepatic histology on light mictoscopy. Liver biopsies were examined for degree of perisinusoidal fibrosis and apoptotic activity using electron microscopy. Results: The degree of perisinusoidal fibrosis and apoptotic activity was similar in pretreatment biopsies of UDCA and placebo‐treated patients. After two years of placebo, patients showed a significant increase in fibrosis (P