Figure 10.
Terminal restriction fragments in rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis with and without oestradiol (E2) administration revealed by Southern blot analysis. Extensive telomere shortening and loss of total telomeric DNA were observed as the period of CCl4 treatment was prolonged. In addition, fragments shorter than 1 kb were markedly increased in CCl4 treated rats. The source of the shorter telomeric DNA fragments (1 kb) may be hepatocytes rendered apoptotic or necrotic by CCl4 injury. The longest position of the telomeric DNA was greater in male and female rats administered oestradiol than in those without oestradiol at 24 weeks. Results in female rats with and without oestradiol administration were confirmed to be identical at 48 weeks but this was not evident in male rats at the same time point.