MORPHOLOGICAL AND VASCULAR ADAPTATIONS IN THE LIVER DURING NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD): A STEREOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of hepatic disorders, ranging from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study investigates the morphological and vascular adaptations in liver tissue associated with NAFLD using stereological techniques and immunohistochemical analysis. Liver biopsies from 40 patients with varying stages of NAFLD were analyzed and compared to healthy controls. Stereological measurements quantified volumetric and numerical changes in hepatocytes, lipid vacuoles, and fibrotic tissue, while immunohistochemistry identified expression levels of CD34, α-SMA, and VEGF. Findings reveal progressive structural disorganization, sinusoidal capillarization, and increased fibrosis as disease severity increases. These results highlight the importance of microarchitectural and vascular assessment in NAFLD diagnosis and treatment monitoring.