Electron-microscopic changes in the livers of mice treated with the porphyrinogenic agent 1,4-dihydro-3,5-dicarbethoxycollidine

Effects of delta-aminolevulinic acid and melatonin in the harderian gland of female Syrian hamsters

Effects of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and melatonin were investigated in the female Syrian hamster Harderian gland. This is an organ physiologically exposed to strong oxidative stress due to the highest porphyrinogenic rates known in nature. Enzyme activities of porphyrin biosynthesis and of antioxidative protection, oxidative protein modification, and histological integrity were studied. In the porphyrin biosynthetic pathway, ALA and melatonin acted synergistically by downregulating ALA synthase (ALA-S) and stimulating product formation from ALA; the combination of ALA and melatonin suppressed ALA-S activity, down to about 1% of that in controls. While ALA effects on porphyrinogenesis can be interpreted in terms of homeostasis, melatonin's actions may be seen in relation to seasonality and/or reduction of oxidative stress. Among antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were diminished by ALA, presumably due to the vulnerability of their active centers to free radicals, whereas melatonin moderately increased SOD. Both ALA and melatonin strongly stimulated catalase (CAT), thereby counteracting the oxidative stress induced by ALA and its metabolites. Nevertheless, exogenous ALA caused a strong net rise in protein carbonyl and considerable damage of tissue. When given together with ALA, melatonin antagonized these effects and largely protected the integrity of glandular structures.

An electron microscopic study of the harderian gland of the Syrian hamster with particular reference to the processes of formation and discharge of the secretory vacuoles

The lipid-secreting cells of the Harderian gland of the Syrian hamster were studied using light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy. Three morphologically different secretory cell types are identified in the gland: type I and II cells of the male gland and, distinct from either, the female gland cell. In all secretory cell types, lipid droplets in the cytoplasm were surrounded by unit membranes. Ultrastructural evidence of the involvement of the Golgi apparatus in the formation of the secretory vacuoles was obtained. The process of secretion involved the fusion of the boundary unit membrane of the vacuole with the plasma membrane and the release of the vacuolar content alone into the lumen. No evidence of holocrine processes was observed in this study. In addition to lipids, vacuoles contained materials whose solubility properties clearly differed from those of lipids. There appear to be variations in the ultrastructural characteristics of the vacuole content of the different types of secretory cell.

Ultrastructural visualization of intracellular porphyrin in the rat Harderian gland

The Harderian glands of male Albino rats 1-24 months of age were studied by electron microscopy. In most glands, a few acinar cells contained straight and curved trilaminar profiles identical in form to the material in the luminal masses of porphyrin pigment. They resembled the structures which several investigators have identified as crystals of protoporphyrin IX in porphyric human and mouse hepatocytes. Protoporphyrin IX is the predominant form synthesized by rat Harderian cells in vitro. The trilaminar profiles were within the cytoplasm but not within the lipid secretory vacuoles. A large number of the acinar cells had finely tubular endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, cells containing the trilaminar forms consistently had dilated ER vesicles. This change may have been a prelude to cell death, for some pigment-containing cells attached to the acinar basal lamina also displayed fragmented organelles and a loss of density of the cytoplasmic matrix. In some acinar lumina there was abundant cell debris along with the trilaminar profiles. It is concluded that in the rat, some of the Harderian free porphyrins can be released through cell death.

The presence of hepatic intramitochondrial crystalline inclusions in polybrominated biphenyl-treated mice

Electron microscopic study of livers from mice fed 167 ppm polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) revealed mitochondrial abnormalities which consisted of both alterations in size and the formation of crystalline-like inclusions within the mitochondrial matrix. These inclusions appeared as parallel arrays of rods and were found in elongated mitochondria which contained few cristae. The findings are briefly described and the possible significance of such inclusions in relation to mitochondrial aberrations are discussed.

An autoradiographic, biochemical, and morphological study of the harderian gland of the mouse

Biochemical and morphological properties of the Harderian gland of the mouse were examined by combining autoradiographic, biochemical, and electron microscopic techniques. Autoradiographs show that the radioactive carbon from [U-14C]glucose injected to the abdominal cavity is completely incorporated into the acid-insoluble substances within 30 minutes. The results of chemical analysis show that the main components of this gland are glyceryl ether diesters and phospholipids. Scanning electron microscopy shows numerous lipid droplets in the secretory cells and alveolar lumina. Myoepithelial cells lie between the secretory cell base and the basement membrane and have a basket-like distribution of processes as confirmed by hydrochloric acid and collagenase digestions. Myofilaments are demonstrated in the cytoplasm. Two types of secretory cells (A and B) comprise the alveolar epithelium and can be differentiated under the electron microscope. The cytoplasm of both contains numerous vacuoles. The vacuoles are almost empty in A cells, which are more numerous constituent of the alveolar epithelium than B cells. However, the vacuoles of the B cells contain densely osmiophilic material. In both, cell types show a merocrine mode of secretion. Unmyelinated nerve cell endings occur in the interstices of the connective tissue, and contain clear or cored vesicles.

Rat liver alterations after chronic treatment with hexachlorobenzene

Groups of female rats were treated orally with 0.5, 2.0, 8.0, and 32 mg/kg hexachlorobenzene twice a week for 203 days. The liver content of hexachlorobenzene was found to be dose-dependent. In the animals treated with the highest dose the concentration was 273 mug/g hexachlorobenzene. In the fresh and fixed hepatic tissue of the treated animals pink fluorescence was observed. Electron microscopy revealed a dose dependent enlargement of all hepatocytes due to proliferation of the SER in the centrolobular area or to increased glycogen deposits (beta- or alpha-particles) and SER in the intermediary and periportal area. Numerous porphyrin deposits and siderosomes, intimate disorganisation and moderate dislocation of the RER and a moderate enlargement of bizarre-sharped mitochondria were recognized. The relationship between porphyrin crystals and mitochondria on the one hand and between SER and glycogen deposits on the other is discussed.

Ultrastructure of the harderian gland in male albino rats

Harderian glands of adult male albino rats were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. The animals were divided into the following experimental groups: (1) castrated only, (2) castrated with testosterone replacement and (3) sham operated controls. Two types of secretory cells, designated as A and B, comprise the glandular epithelium and are distinguished on the basis of morphologic differences in the following cellular components: cytoplasmic secretory vacuoles, mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). Cell type A is more numerous and contains larger secretory vacuoles than cell type B which is characterized by the presence of large numbers of mitochondria and packet-like arrangement of SER profiles. The glandular secretion appears to be elaborated via merocrine mechanisms and consists primarily of lipids and a fibrogranular substance. The latter component may consist of porph,yrin compounds. Nerve endings are found in the connective tissue interstices of the gland. Direct synapses were not observed in association with either gland cells or myoepithelial cells. Castration did not produce significant alterations in the morphology of the glandular epithelium. Results of the investigation suggest that the rat Harderian gland may serve as a useful model for the study of cellular mechanisms involved in the production of human porphyrias.

Griseofulvin causing hyperhemopexinemia and hepatic proliferation in mice: an in vivo and in vitro study

Concentrations of hemopexin, a porphyrin-binding serum protein synthesized exclusively in the liver, increased significantly and concomitantly with levels of erythrocyte and liver protoporphyrin and coproporphyrin in mice made porphyric with 1% griseofulvin in the feed. Liver weights of porphyric mice increased remarkably. In comparison with controls, the ratio of the weight of normal to porphyric livers was at 10 days 1:2.1, at 21 days 1:2.8, and at 46 days 1:3.8. This increase in liver size was accompanied by increased cell division. The hepatic hyperplastic tissue fragments survived in vitro for several weeks and could be subcultured. The cultured cells, like those of the original liver, showed intense protoporphyrin fluorescence in the cytoplasm.

Experimental porphyria induced by 3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-thioethyl)-4 methylsydnone

Administration of 3-[2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-thioethyl]-4-methylsydnone (TTMS) induces hepatic porphyria in rats, mice and dogs. The protoporphyrin pigment in livers of rats and mice is found mainly in bile ducts and leads to bile duct proliferation and portal inflammation. Dog livers contain protoporphyrin predominantly in bile canaliculi. The birefringence of the pigment appears to be associated with bilamellar components within the pigment. The markedly depressed catalase activity in livers of rats does not increase after clofibrate administration. The catalase activity of mouse liver is depressed slightly and responds to clofibrate treatment.

Mouse model for protoporphyria. I. The liver and hepatic protoporphyrin crystals

Outbred albino mice were rendered protoporphyric by a diet containing 2.5% (weight) of griseofulvin. There was a 5-fold increase in liver weight, hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, cholestasis, ductular proliferation and cirrhosis. Liver protoporphyrin values were elevated and brown pigment granules were present in hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, and bile ducts. The granules showed red fluorescence, birefringence, and, at the ultrastructural level, consisted of aggregates of needle-like crystals. Crystals isolated from such livers showed solubility and absorption characteristics of protoporphyrin; in vitro recrystallization of protoporphyrin, extracted from protoporphyric mouse livers, yielded crystals identical with those observed in vivo, and commercial protoporphyrin exhibited similar morphologic features. The liver pathology and protoporphyrin crystals observed in these animals are identical to the liver pathology and crystals observed in the human disease, erythropoietic protoporphyria. In this mouse model, protoporphyrin crystals are intimately associated with hepatocellular injury and it appears that their accumulation within hepatocytes leads to hepatocellular destruction. A similar pathogenesis is postulated for the hepatic damage that occurs in some cases of erythropoietic protoporphyria.

A light and electron microscopic study of the liver in case of erythrohepatic protoporphyria and in griseofulvin-induced porphyria in mice

The light- and electron-microscopic appearances of a liver biopsy from a case of erythrohepatic protoporphyria are compared with the appearances of the liver in griseofulvin-induced porphyria in mice. Crystals are present in hepatocytes and in the bile secretory pathways in each case. The nature and significance of these is discussed.