The age dependent electron microscopic changes of the mitochondria in a mitotic cell (lymphocyte) were compared with those of a postmitotic cell (skeletal muscle cell) in humans and in CBA/Ca mice. Two types of age related changes could be observed in the mitochondria of lymphocytes and skeletal muscle cells: (i) degenerative changes; (ii) giant mitochondria. The frequency of the mitochondrial changes increased with age and were more frequent in the skeletal muscle cells than in the lymphocytes.
The paper presents new evidence of the vasoactivity of cardiac glycosides in the myocardium. Experiments were performed on the in situ dog heart. The present study primarily focuses on the analysis of K-strophantoside induced topo-optical and thermographic alterations in acute myocardial ischemia. The strong binding of K-strophantoside to the coronary vessel wall and the endothelial cells was found to be accompanied by vasoconstriction in the regionally ischemic heart muscle. The potential clinical impact of these findings on therapy is briefly evaluated.
Histamine, applied intravenously at various concentrations (3 micrograms, 125 micrograms, 250 micrograms/100 g body weight) caused 90 and 210 s after the injection ultrastructural alterations in the endothelial cells of rat colonic mucosal microvessels. The most prominent changes occurred with the 250 micrograms/100 g/90 s combination, including an increase of vesicular population, formation of vacuole-like spaces, increase in the luminal evaginations of the fenestrated capillaries, as well as an increase in size of the Golgi complex. Only few gaps were distinguished in some venules after the administration of 250 micrograms/100 g histamine and a circulation time of 210 s. Intact vessels were detected at all concentrations. Results indicate, that histamine affects structures involved in transvascular transport, mainly by increasing the number of pinocytotic vesicles. They also suggest a possible differential response within the endothelial cell population towards histamine action.
Cultured cells from adult rat anterior pituitaries and intermediate lobes were treated with proteinase inhibitor substrate analogues (Boc-DPhe-Pro-Arginal [BOC-DPPA], DPhe-Pro-Arginal [DPPA], BOC-DPhe-Leu-Lysinal [BOC-DPLL], BOC-DPhe-Phe-Lysinal [BOC-DPPL]) to elucidate their effect on cell morphology. It was established that BOC-DPPA and DPPA (which in previous studies stimulated alpha-MSH release [6]) caused a slight decrease in the number of immunoreactive secretory granules in melanotrophs. BOC-DPLL, which inhibited growth hormone and prolactin release, did not alter the fine structural features of cultured cells. No difference was observed in the membrane turnover traced by cationic ferritin when cells were treated with BOC-DPPL. We suggest that substrate analogues used are harmless to pituitary cells.
A single subcutaneous injection of 0.5 mg cadmium chloride in Amphibian Ringer solution caused a significant decrease in secondary spermatogonial and primary spermatocytic stages in the semineferous tubules of frogs in 7 days. B3 cells of adenohypophysis and the activities of delta 5-3 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and 17 beta-dehydrogenase in the Leydig cells were significantly increased in the same period. There were no significant changes in 3 days.
The effect of chronic furosemide treatment on the structure of the secretory cells in the mouse pancreas was studied using electron microscopy. The number of the zymogen granules increased in the cytoplasm of acinar cells; they were more densely packed and had a less electron-dense appearance than the controls. Because these ultrastructural findings resemble the changes observed in exocrine glands of patients with cystic fibrosis, the chronic furosemide-treated mouse is proposed as an experimental model for this disease.
Age-dependent morphological alterations of the tibial articular cartilage were studied in 26-month-old Wistar rats of both sexes. Young and adult rats (6 and 10 months of age, respectively) served as a basis for comparison. Light microscopic histology, polarization optical analysis (toluidine-blue staining with or without the addition of 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 M MgCl2, as well as after phenol reaction) as well as transmission electron microscopy were applied. The main observations are: (1) According to the histological findings, the proportion of the zones changes with age; the subchondral bone layer becomes wider and separated to a certain extent, while the fibres become demasked. (2) Polarization microscopy revealed a disorientation of both the proteoglycane (PG) and collagen molecules; considering the available biochemical data, this phenomenon involves both quantitative and structural changes, as well as differences in the localization of the PG and collagen molecules. (3) Electron microscopy also supports the structural alterations of the collagen (thin and thick, as well as non-striated, fragmented fibres). Cellular alterations are also observed parallel with the changes of the matrix (cell organelles occur less frequently, signs of degeneration and disintegration, rupture of the plasma membrane, as well as accumulation of lipid-bodies can be seen. On the basis of the findings, one can consider the articular cartilage in the old rats as a tissue which is still in equilibrium, however, aged chondrocytes with decreased function become predominant in it. This state can be modified into a pathological one by various mechanical, endocrinological, iatrogenic, post-traumatic, etc., influences through the alterations of the cell-matrix interactions.
UNLABELLED:To study the atherosclerotic lesion (a.l.) in the two aorta segments (thoracic and abdominal) in a given set of autopsies (total 2043) performed during five years (1981-85) in one of the principal general hospitals in the city of Havana, a set of five variables was used as part of a new biometric system (BS), to characterize the a.l. in any vascular sector. Three of these variables represent the main types of a.l., fatty streaks (X), fibrous plaques (Y) and severe (complicated and calcified) plaques (Z), while the others were indices of stenosis (P) and benignity (B). Classical dissection and pathological laboratory procedures were performed. Qualitative and quantitative gross morphometric analyses were done by a digitilizer joined to a NEC (9801) personal microcomputer (Japan). These data were processed in a medium size computer EC-1040 (GDR). The multivariate statistical techniques, the principal component analysis (PCA) and the discriminant analysis (DA), were used applying the "SPSS" programme.CONCLUSIONS:(1) PCA revealed in the two aorta segments studied a first component of benignity, fatty streaks (X) and benignity index (B) and a second component of severity, severe plaques (Z) and stenosis number (P). Because of the dimensions of the two aorta segments (width and length) the dominant, first component, is benignity. So the BS is useful in characterizing and describing the lesional state of any aorta segments; (2) DA and BS proved to be useful to distinguish between the high atherosclerotic group (HAG) and the low atherosclerotic group (LAG). The correct classification rate exceed in all cases 70%. The three components of the lesional state vector (X,Y,Z) distinguish the groups. The stenosis (P) and benignity (B) indices proved to be most relevant. The sign of benignity index is always the same as that of the LAG. Thus this variable truly represents benignity. The coherence and consistency of the BS was also proved by DA.
The effect of alimentary deficiency, ethanol intake and exposure to xylene on the coronary microvessels and heart weight were investigated in rats. The coronary microvessels of rats, which were undernourished for 5 weeks and which were fed ad libitum were studied with the histomorphometric method of Herrmann et al [19]. In another experiment a group of rats was fed a control liquid diet while another group was fed a liquid diet containing ethanol up to 36% of the total Joule intake. One-half of both groups were placed in an exposure chamber supplied with pure air; the other two half-groups were made to inhale air containing 1000 mg xylene/m3 for 6 h daily, 5 days a week, for a period of 4 weeks. It was found that undernourishment did not cause any morphological reactions in the microvessels and did not affect the relative heart weight. Ethanol increased the contractile activity of the wall cells of coronary microvessels, and also the relative heart weight. The effect of xylene was similar to that of the ethanol. The effect of xylene in combination with ethanol was additive on the one hand (in some parameters), on the other hand there was an inhibition between the effects of the two chemicals (in the case of the number of mv. 10.5 micron less than d less than 21 micron). It is concluded that both ethanol and xylene increase the vascular tone of coronary microvessels and this alteration causes a decrease in the nutritive myocardial blood flow. Undernourishment does not play any role in the increase of vascular tone.
The cell-groups of the human septum pellucidum are demonstrated in a series of 27 frontal sections. The basal part of the septum which contains mainly nerve cells extends 14-16 mm in the oro-caudal direction. Within this region two medial nuclei with 6 subdivisions and two lateral nuclei with 3 subdivisions were distinguished. The definition of oro-caudal coordinates and the topographical description of nuclei may be of help in localizing with sufficient accuracy clinico-pathological alterations of the septum.
All tritiated amino acid hormones added to the maintenance medium of Ascidia mentulosa entered the cells of the coat and gut, and all appeared in intranuclear localizations. The quantitative differences in incorporation did not indicate a specific affinity for any hormone tested.
The aim of this study was to clarify how the CCl4-induced cirrhosis modifies the process of diethylin-nitrosamine hepatocarcinogenesis. Two strains of rats (CFY and F-344) were used. CFY rats proved to be resistant toward both the cirrhogenic effect of CCl4 and carcinogenic effect of DEN. In the F-344 rats, on the other hand, a large number of foci, neoplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinomas occurred following DEN treatment only and fullblown liver cirrhosis did develop in the CCl4-treated group. In F-344 rats with cirrhotic liver, foci and neoplastic nodules appeared in the usual number and at the usual time following DEN treatment, but--opposite to the expectations--much less carcinomas developed than in the rats receiving DEN only. When, however the CCl4-treatment was applied following the DEN administration, a promoting effect was seen. The mechanism of the inhibitory effect of the CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis upon hepatocarcinogenesis is not clarified, similarly to the mechanism of of the promoting effect of the CCl4-treatment applied following the DEN administration.
The synthetic steroid diethylstilbestrol (DES) and the steroid-like allylestrenol (AE) have been used for years in human medicine for the protection of pregnancy. The hazards to the fetus of gestational DES treatment are well established [2, 17, 18]. Knowledge of a similar effect of AE is still fragmentary. Therefore, further studies are required of the after-effects of embryonic and perinatal AE exposure. In our earlier experiments with polypeptide hormones [4, 5, 6] we have observed that perinatal age is a critical period in the maturation of hormone receptors. In this period the presence of hormone induces the development of its specific receptors. The phenomenon is termed hormonal imprinting [4, 5, 6]. During its maturation the receptor is flexible and the presence of non-specific hormones capable of binding to it may alter its normal development Accordingly, even a single hormone injection in the perinatal period may alter the hormone-sensitivity of the target organ.
The proliferation stimulating or inhibitory effect of aortic endothelial cells on aortic smooth muscle cells and vice versa was studied in cell culture by using a newly developed co-cultivation technique. The effect was registered as the incorporation of labelled thymidine detected by liquid scintillation counting. The experiments were performed in intra and interspecific combinations, using bovine, pig or rat aortic cell cultures. The endothelial cells stimulated smooth muscle cell proliferation in a species specific way. In interspecies combinations either inhibition or no effect was observed. The smooth muscle cells usually had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of endothelial cells except for the pig smooth muscle cells which had a stimulatory effect in both inter and intraspecies combinations. Co-cultivation of smooth muscle or endothelial cells with cells of the same type resulted mostly in inhibition or no effect in both intra and interspecies combinations. This phenomenon was particularly conspicuous with endothelial cells. The different stimulatory and inhibitory effects produced by these cells may play an important role in the regulation of neovascularization and in reendothelization of denuded intimal areas.
The fine structure of the hepatic artery of dogs was studied at electron microscopic level. The majority of nerve fibres innervating the artery was found at the adventitial-medial border of the vessel, but some of them entered the middle part of the media. The average distance of nerve to muscle fibre was found to measure 450 nm. Three types of nerve profile could be observed, viz. adrenergic, cholinergic and cholinergic-peptidergic as suggested by the morphology of their vesicles. It is suggested that the cholinergic and cholinergic-peptidergic nerve endings probably modulate the release and the constrictor effect of the main neurotransmitter noradrenaline in the hepatic artery.
Incidence and character of large cell dysplasia (LCD) of liver were examined by histological, statistical and morphometric methods in an aged Middle European population. The necropsy material of 487 patients with micronodular cirrhosis and cirrhosis with primary liver tumour was studied. In addition, 50 primary tumours developed in non-cirrhotic livers, 34 metastatic tumours and 90 normal livers were examined. According to the findings, LCD often developed in aged patients. The high occurrence is presumably due to the high age. The frequency of LCD was significantly higher in active than in inactive cirrhosis. LCD could mostly be found around metastatic tumours, especially those with large, destructive foci. Sex differences occurred in a part of cases but an age dependence could not be demonstrated. Normal and dysplastic cells did not differ significantly in most morphometric parameters but there was a significant difference between tumorous and normal or dysplastic parameters. The data suggested that LCD is a secondary, reactive phenomenon occurring in various pathological processes.
Asbestos bodies were demonstrated within an abdominal mesothelioma, proving the tumour-inductive role of asbestos fibres. Asbestos fibres were also found earlier in a case of bile duct carcinoma (17).
30 rats were divided into 3 experimental groups. These included 8 days of Lipofundin treatment + 8 days recovery period (Group I), 16 days of Lipofundin treatment (Group II), and 16 days of Lipofundin treatment + 8 days recovery period (Group III). After sacrifice semi-thin and ultra-thin sections prepared from the aorta segments were examined light and electron microscopically. In addition to the development of alterations characteristic of the Lipofundin-model, the accumulation of collagen fibres was also observed. After 16 days of Lipofundin treatment the alterations were much more advanced than after 8-day treatment. Subsequent migration of smooth muscle cells through the newly formed internal elastic lamina was apparent and led to thickening of the sclerotic plaque. When the 16-day Lipofundin treatment was followed by a recovery period of 8 days prior to sacrifice, no signs of regression were seen. The alterations were present in unchanged form and the only difference was in the extent of accumulation of collagen fibres.
Rhizoplast or striated rootlet is a rarely described cytoplasmic organelle in non-ciliated mammalian cells. We observed the centrosome related rhizoplast like structures relatively often in the human renal glomerular cells. Of 226 kidney biopsies striated microfilament bundles (SMF) have been found in 41 cases in a total of 64 cells. More than half of these organelles were found in podocytes, about a quarter in endothelial cells, fewer in mesangial cells and they rarely occurred in the parietal epithelium. The majority of SMF are connected with the centrosome, but not in direct connection with the centriole. The longer bundles have often been located near the Golgi complex. The thickness of the SMF varies, their cross striation has a periodicity of 88 +/- 13.4 nm. The occurrence of SMF does not show any connection with the age of the patients, the type of disease, the morphological changes or therapy. It is difficult to say whether they are normal or pathological organelles. Their presence can be regarded as a metaplastic process in functionally overloaded cells.
The possible mutagenic effect of the uracil analogue pesticide Terbacil was examined on Drosophila melanogaster and in mammalian cell culture. Terbacil did not prove to be mutagenic in the sex-linked recessive lethal mutation test, and it did not cause an increase in sister chromatid exchange in CHO cells. It cannot be considered a chromosome-mutagenic compound. Considering the procaryote studies known from the literature, it is assumed that Terbacil does not represent a genotoxic hazard for the persons involved either in its production or its use.
