Possible participation of endotoxin of gram-negative bacteria in pathogenesis of liver damage during viral hepatitis.

Possible role of gram-negative bacteria in the genesis of hepatic damage during chronic viral hepatitis B and C was studied. Histological activity, hepatocyte proliferative activity, and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin were compared with the severity of endotoxemia in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. The study revealed a correlation between the degree of intralobular necroses, hepatocyte proliferation, and myofibroblast transdifferentiation of Ito cells with endotoxin concentration in the blood.