Stereological measurements of the fine structures in hepatocytes of normal, acute hepatitic, chronic hepatitic and cirrhotic livers

• Published in: Kanzo Vol. 19; no. 5; pp. 421 - 429
• Main Author: SUGIMOTO, Tatsuho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japan Society of Hepatology 1978
• ISSN: 0451-4203; 1881-3593; 1881-3593
• DOI: 10.2957/kanzo.19.421

Nuclear diameters were measured under light microscope. Volume, long and short diameters. volume ratio to the cytoplasma and number of mitochondria, and surface area of endoplasmic reticulm in hepatocytes were calculated from electron microscopic parameters. In acute hepatitis, mitochondria tended to be smaller in volume and greater in number than those in normal subjects. Surface area of endoplasmic reticulum was small as compared with normal subjects. These findings may be changes in recovery period. In chronic hepatitis, there were not significant differences from normal livers, and abnormalities in liver function test appear to be caused by altered function of microorganelles. In liver cirrhosis, nuclei tended to be larger than those in normal subjects. Mitochondrias were appearently larger in volume and smaller in number, and surface area of smooth endoplasmic reticulum was smaller than those in normal subjects. These changes are thought to be caused by changes in Disse's space, or aging.