Activated liver stellate cells in chronic viral C hepatitis: histopathological and immunohistochemical study.

Background: There is positive correlation between the number of activated hepatic stellate cells and necroinflammatory activity and/or the stage of liver fibrosis in viral hepatitis. No study has investigated such a relationship with regard to the activated hepatic cells within specified zones of liver tissue in chronic C hepatitis. The aim of the present study was to correlate the level of activated hepatic stellate cells within perivenular, intermediate, periportal, and portal tracts area and fibrous septa with stages of liver fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in patients with chronic C hepatitis.