OBJECTIVETo explore the genesis of the oval cells in hepatic tissue and relationship between the hepatic oval cells and the primary hepatocarcinoma.

METHODSSixty SD rats were divided into normal group (20 cases) and experimental group (40 cases). C-kit and PCNA were continuously detected by immunohistochemistry and the liver pathologic changes were observed by optical microscope in the different period.

RESULTSThe hepatical surface was lubricous and the histological morpha was normal in the normal group, and the positive cells of C-kit and PCNA were found on occasion. In the experimental group, the oval cells which express C-kit and PCNA were firstly discovered in the periportal regions in the second weeks, and these cells proliferate in turn and rangely in the bile duct epithelium. With the hepatic injury becoming more serious, the oval cells extended into the centrilobular regions from periportal regions. When HCC occurred, the oval cells were found in the cancer nodule and in the margin. In this period, the most of positive cells of C-kit still located in the periportal regions, while the PCNA cells were found in and out of the cancer nodule.

CONCLUSIONSThe oval cells originate from bile duct of the periportal regions. The oval cells play an important role in the process of hepatocarcinogenesis.