STRUCTURAL AND CELLULAR CHANGES IN LIVER TISSUE DURING CHRONIC HEPATITIS AND EARLY FIBROSIS FORMATION

Chronic hepatitis is one of the major causes of progressive liver damage worldwide and is frequently associated with the development of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatic insufficiency. Persistent inflammatory activity in liver tissue leads to hepatocellular injury, activation of stellate cells, extracellular matrix accumulation, and gradual architectural remodeling of the liver. The aim of this study was to analyze structural and cellular changes in liver tissue during chronic hepatitis and evaluate mechanisms involved in early fibrosis formation. The findings demonstrate that chronic inflammatory infiltration, hepatocyte degeneration, sinusoidal alterations, and activation of fibrogenic pathways play a key role in the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Early pathological changes may significantly influence long-term liver function and disease prognosis. Understanding the morphological mechanisms of fibrosis development is important for diagnosis, prevention, and therapeutic management of chronic liver diseases.