Synthesis of angiotensinogen in liver tissues in long-term arterial hypertension

Arterial hypertension is one of the most common diseases affecting various organs, including the liver. The liver is a part of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and it also produces angiotensinogen. Most studies focus on hepatocytes, the main cells that produce angiotensinogen, while there are very few studies devoted to the production of angiotensinogen by the stroma. The aim of the study is to determine the intensity of angiotensinogen synthesis by the liver stroma depending on the duration of arterial hypertension. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on autopsy material from 37 patients divided into 4 groups. Group 1 included patients with less than a 5-year history of arterial hypertension, group 2 consisted of patients with a 10–15-year history, and group 3 involved patients with over a 15-year history. The comparison group consisted of subjects without arterial hypertension. Liver autopsy specimens were prepared according to standard histological techniques and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Expression of angiotensinogen was determined by IHC staining of paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Results. The obtained data indicate that arterial hypertension lasting more than 15 years causes pathological changes in the liver parenchyma and stroma. The area of the stroma increases; fibrosis and inflammation are observed. The degree of angiotensinogen expression in the stroma does not change during the disease. Stromal cells express more angiotensinogen than hepatocytes do.