Age-related liver changes can have important implications for health and metabolic function. This study aimed to describe the morphoquantitative alterations of the liver in senescent rats compared to adult rats. Twelve male rats were used, divided into 6-month-old adults (group A) and 36-month-old senescent rats (group S). Morphometric and histopathological studies, quantification of collagen types I and III, and stereological analyses were performed to determine the volume density of mononucleated (Vv_hepM) and binucleated (Vv_hepB) hepatocyte nuclei, surface area density (Sv_hepM), and number density (Nv_hepM) of mononucleated hepatocyte nuclei. The findings reveal an alteration of the normal liver tissue architecture in senescent rats and the presence of inflammatory lesions and fibrosis. In addition, there was a decrease in body and liver mass and volume. Group S showed a significant reduction in Vv_hepM and Nv_hepM; however, Sv_hepM was significantly higher. No significant differences were noted in the percentage of binucleated hepatocytes between the two groups. This study reveals substantial morphological changes in the aging liver, with possible functional implications. More research is needed on the underlying mechanisms and their consequences at older ages.

Background: Early-life stress and dietary habits are key determinants of metabolic health. This study investigates the combined effects of maternal separation (MS) and a post-weaning high-fat diet (HFD) on liver morphology in male C57BL/6 mice. Methods: Male mice were subjected to MS during early postnatal life or kept unmanipulated (UM). After weaning, animals were assigned to either a control diet (CD) or an HFD, forming four groups: UM-CD, UM-HFD, MS-CD, and MS-HFD. Liver histology, collagen deposition, and both morphometric and stereological parameters were assessed following 16 weeks of dietary intervention. Results: MS and HFD independently altered liver structure, while the combination of both factors intensified these changes. The MS-HFD group exhibited pronounced steatosis, mixed inflammatory infiltrates, and hepatocellular ballooning, with a significantly higher NAFLD Activity Score (NAS). No significant differences were observed in liver fibrosis. Morphometric analysis revealed increased body mass in HFD-fed groups and elevated liver mass in MS-HFD. Liver volume was higher in MS-HFD, though not significantly. Liver stereology revealed reduced numerical density of hepatocytes (Nv_hep) and increased surface density (Sv_hep) in MS groups, with the most pronounced effects in MS-HFD. Conclusions: Maternal separation amplifies the hepatic alterations induced by HFD, promoting early inflammatory and steatotic changes. These findings highlight the significance of early-life stress as a factor increasing susceptibility to diet-induced liver damage.

Este estudio se centra en Loja, Ecuador, una región con una historia de alta incidencia de cáncer gástrico. Su objetivo es determinar la prevalencia del adenocarcinoma gástrico y ciertos aspectos sociodemográficos entre 2018 y 2022 en tres hospitales: Manuel Ygnacio Montero del IESS, Hospital Oncológico de SOLCA Núcleo de Loja y Centro Vicente Rodríguez Witt. Utilizando datos de los servicios de endoscopia, gastroenterología, oncología y cirugía, se identificaron 283 pacientes con edades entre 30 y 90 años, con una mayor incidencia en las décadas de los 70 y 80. El 68% de los pacientes son hombres y el 32% son mujeres, con la mayoría de los tumores (90%) localizados en el cuerpo y antro gástrico. La clasificación de Borrmann reveló que el 36% de los casos eran de tipo III; la mayor parte de los diagnósticos fueron en etapas tardías. Según la clasificación histológica de Lauren, el 40.6% correspondieron al tipo intestinal y el 60.4% al tipo difuso. En este periodo de estudio, todos los casos se encontraron en estadios avanzados, y predominaron las etapas III-IV. Las limitaciones del estudio incluyen la falta de un registro oficial de cáncer, protocolos y modalidad de registro de pacientes que difieren entre las instituciones.