Neoangiogenesis and nitric oxide is increased in hepatic arteries of decompensated but not compensated CCl4-cirrhotic rats, a process that can be blocked by Sorafenib

Hepatic arteries in cirrhosis show neoangiogenesis and vasodilatation, the latter mainly as a consequence of increased nitric oxide (Zipprich et al.JHep;49: 739). It remains unclear, when these pathological changes occur during the natural history of cirrhosis, i.e. in compensated or decompensated cirrhosis, and if the multikinase-inhibitor Sorafenib has an inhibitory effect. The aim of the study was to investigate 1)the differences of nitric oxide production in different stages of cirrhosis and 2)the influence of long-time treatment with Sorafenib on the hepatic artery in CCl4-cirrhotic rats. Methods: Cirrhosis…