The nature and origin of proliferated bile ductules in alcoholic liver disease

Abstract

Proliferation of bile ductules is commonly seen in expanded portal tracts and periportal areas in many conditions, including advanced alcoholic liver disease. Such ductules are usually tortuous and irregular and composed of cuboidal cells. They frequently have poorly defined lumens. The epithelial cells are similar to those of normal bile ductules and small bile ducts; however, cells that appear intermediate between duct epithelial cells and hepatocytes are frequently identified by light and electron microscopy. The origin of the ductular cells from hepatocytes may be confirmed by the demonstration of the markers of hepatocytes, such as glycogen and glucose-6-phosphatase activity in some proliferated bile ductules. In addition, alcoholic hyalin is occasionally recognizable in the epithelial cells of bile ductules. The majority of periportal bile ductules appears to have been derived from transformation of hepatic cords rather than multiplication of preexisting bile ducts. The proliferated bile ductules seem to communicate between the bile canaliculi and the interlobular bile ducts.