[The nature of "hydropic degeneration" of hepatocytes in severe viral hepatitis].

Abstract

Specimens were fixed with a mixed fluid of osmium acid potassium ferrocyanide, and embedded with Epon--812. Totally, biopsies from 21 cases of severe chronic viral hepatitis were investigated. When hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes occurred, the clear field in cytoplasm were actually places for accumulating massive glycogen. The granules around the nuclei were convergent mitochondria, endoplasm reticulum and other organelles. Glycogen was best shown in this experiment because of adoption of the mixed fluid as the fixative, which successfully prevented the loss of glycogen during dehydration and the process of uranyl acetate staining. In our opinion this change in hepatocytes might better be termed "glycogen degeneration". It is probably related to infusion of large amount of glucose fluid or due to damage of certain glycogenolytic enzymes in the liver.

• Authors: M Z Le
• Journal: Zhonghua bing li xue za zhi = Chinese journal of pathology (Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi) Vol. 19 Issue 4 Pg. 291-3 (Dec 1990) ISSN: 0529-5807 [Print] China
• PMID: 2081354 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Liver Glycogen

Topics

• Chronic Disease
• Cytoplasm (ultrastructure)
• Hepatitis, Viral, Human (metabolism)
• Humans
• Liver (metabolism, ultrastructure)
• Liver Glycogen (metabolism)