COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF HISTOLOGICAL ANALYSES OF EXPERIMENTAL STEATOSIS, PERFORMED BY TRAINED ACADEMICS AND PATHOLOGIST

Abstract

The participation of academics in the research process is limited by the lack of specific training, which reduces its effectiveness and engagement. This study evaluated the performance of medical students trained in the histological analysis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in an animal model, comparing their analyses with those of a pathologist. The research was carried out with seven medical students from the State University of Ponta Grossa (UEPG), who analyzed liver tissue samples from rabbits, using the previously validated histological scoring system. The results showed that the steatosis and balloonization analyses performed by the students were similar to those of the pathologist, with no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). However, the analysis of lobular inflammation showed a significant difference (p<0.001), suggesting the need for more training time for this specific alteration. It is concluded that, with adequate training, medical students can perform histological analyses of NAFLD in animal models, enhancing institutional scientific production.