Age-related changes in rat liver hydration and histostructure

One of the aging hypotheses is based on the fact that the percentage of water in the human body decreases with age. To a greater extent, the loss of water affects the most energy-dependent organs, such as liver, which undergoes a number of structural compensatory-adaptive changes. The parameters of age-related changes are currently understudied. However, they should be taken into account when determining the actual organ transformations in experiments. The purpose of the study was to examine the change in the level of total water and liver histostructure in rats during a 75-day observation. Materials and Methods. The changes in the level of total water in the liver parenchyma were assessed in young outbred intact rats during 75-day observation. The authors examined liver histostructure on sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin and picrofuchsin (Van Gieson's stain). Results. A decrease in the level of total water in the rat liver parenchyma by 0.54±0.042 % was observed during a 75-day observation. At the same time, no visible changes were detected in the liver histostructure. Conclusion. During the trial a decrease in the level of total water in the liver of intact animals was observed. It did not affect the change in liver histostructure.