To evaluate the ultrastructural changes and the mechanism causing liver injury by lead, light and electron microscopic(LM and EM) examination using Timm sulphide silver method(TSM) was done. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control and 3 experimental groups. The experimental groups were orally administered 0.5% lead acetate(LA). Group 1 received a one time dose of 10 ml of LA by gastric intubation. Groups 2 and 3 continuously received LA instead of drinking water. The control group was composed of 3 rats in each group which did not receive any treatment. Rats of group 1, 2 and 3 and control were sacrificed at 1/2, 1, 1 1/2 hours, 2 days, and at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks later, except group 3. Before sacrifice, they were perfused with 0.1% sodium sulphide and 2.5% glutaraldehyde through the abdominal aorta for TSM. The liver was taken for LM and EM examinations. Blood lead concentration began to increase from the 2nd day up to 3.29 microgram/ml at 2nd week, and the urinary delta-ALA level showed a steady increase from the 2nd day. LM and EM examination of liver revealed that absorbed lead granules in group 1 were transported into sinusoidal spaces, Kupffer cells, and the hepatocytes within 1 hour and then disappeared 1/2 hour thereafter. In group 2 deposited lead was found in the hepatocytic cytosol bound to mitochondria. That in turn inhibited mitochondrial respiration with resultant mitochondrial swelling at the 1st week and thereafter at 6th week myelin figure formation and condensation of mitochondria, and peroxisomes were increased at 8th week. Based on these results it can be concluded that a transient intake of subletal dose of LA is biotransformed completely by periportal hepatocytes within 1 1/2 hours, but excessively accumulated lead can induce liver cell injury due to lipid peroxidation of membrane by direct toxic effect of lead and by products of lipid peroxidation. We postulate that lead acetate triggers presumably primarily mitochondrial membrane injury and then other organellar changes may play a role in disturbance of a network of interacting of key events capable of causing cell death.
Rats ; Animals

This study was performed on 50 cases of primary breast cancer removed surgically during the period 1990~1991 and compared the results of four morphologic methods developed for the detection of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, monoclonal antibody PCNA immunoreactivity, and the mean number of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions(mAgNORs) to ascertain the prognostic significance and also to detect highly malignant heterogenous cancer. To determine the validity of these measurements, a variance analysis was done with Kruskal-Wallis 1-way ANOVA. The results showed that the significant correlation between histologic grade and ER/PR status(P=0.005/P=0.015), the borderline significant correlation between mAgNORs and ER/PR status(P=0.08), and between AgNORs and stage(P=0.07), PCNA has no correlation with ER/PR status(P=0.25), clinical stage and histologic grade. In follow up, four cases of invasive ductal carcinoma with ER/PR, developed early and rapid metastasis within 2 years, three of them were classified as histologic grade 3 and another case was grade 2, whereas two of them were classified ans stage III(+) and the rest were in stage IIB(+) and stage IIA(-). The mAgNOR count of these four cases were ranged from 3.32 to 4.29 which were in the aneuploid category most likely. One of them had rather stormy rapid course with multiple organ metastases resulting death within one year. These results indicated that ductal carcinoma(>2cm size) with ER-/PR- and high mAgNOR level or high PCNA grade, and hihg histologic grade had h highly malignant course, marked by rapidly developing metastases. Thus we concluded that the status of ER/PR alone in tumor tissue is an important information for selecting hormone treatment btu, for the ultimate prognosis, is a weak indicator. Therefore for early detection of such heterogenous tumor, besides ER/PR, AgNORs or PCNA, histologic grade and tumor size are very useful as biological indicators of prognosis. The status ER/PR in combination with these indicators are more accurate and provide better basis on which to base a decision for early implementation of chemotherapy from which to give probably benefit by inhibition of rapid progress.
Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Breast Neoplasms

Total 481 cases of gallstones from Korean patients operated at Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital during the last 6 years were classified by macroscopic view according to the classification of Sato, et al and reviewed with a special reference to age, sex, and kinds and sites of gallstones. Gallstrones were present predominatly in the age of 50-60 years, the average 52. Sex ratio (M:F) was nearly equal, being 1:1.05. Gallbladder was the most frequent site, comprising 53.2%, followed by common bile duct, 23.3% and intrahepatic location, 3.7%. Macroscopic classification revealed pigment gallstones in 53.0% (calcium bilirubinate, 41.8%; black, 11.2%); cholesterol gallstones in 36.2%, of which mixed stone being 33.1%. Cholesterol gallstones occurred predominantly in 50-60 years of age with a prediletion to females. On the contrary, elderly persons more than 60 years of age had calciu bilirubinate stones. No sex difference was found in the calcium bilirubinate stones. Eightly-six percent of cholesterol gallstones were present in the gallbladder only. Common bile duct stones were mostly composed of pigment gallstones in 80.4%.
Female ; Humans

Two unusual and rare forms of Brenner tumor are reported and the literatures are reviewed. The one, "proliferating" Brenner tumor, morphologically resembling low grade papillary transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder and regarded as a third variant intermediate between the benign and malignant forms; the other, malignant Brenner tumor of right ovary, corresponding to grade III transitional cell carcinoma of urinarybladder with areas of invasive squamous cell carcinoma and benign Brenner tumor of left ovary, combined with bilateral cystic teratomas. These tumors give additional support to the concept that Brenner tumors are composted of epithelium of urinary tract(urothelial) type.

Necleolar organizer regions(NORs) ARE LOOPS OF DNA which transcribe to ribosomal RNA by RNA polymerase I. Since NOR-associated proteins are argyrophilic, silver staining method has been used for demonstration of AgNORs. The numbers and/or configurations of NORs may reflect the activities of cells in hyperplastic and neoplastic conditions. To evaluated the applicability of AgNORs in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, the author had performed silver staining on the routinely processed, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of 14 cases of normal liver(control), 23 cirrhotic liver, and 21 hepatocellular carcinoma. The results are summarized as follows: 1) The mean number of AgNORs per nucleus(mAgNOR) of normal liver, cirrhotic liver and hepatocellular carcinoma was 1.45+/-0.07, 2.53+/-0.38 and 5.52+/-1.63, respectively. The difference of mAgNOR between normal and cirrhotic liver, and between cirrhotic liver and hepatocellular carcinoma was statistically significant, respectively(p<0.01). 2) The percentage of nuclei showing five or more AgNORs per nucleus(pAgNOR) was 0.07% in normal liver, 7.59% in cirrhotic liver, and 60.49% in hepatocellular carcinoma. 3) AgNORs in hepatocellular carcinoma were large, pleomorphic and irregularly clumped, in addition to increase of mAgNOR and high pAgNOR. In conclusion, the increase of mAgNOR, high pAgNOR and large, irregular AgNORs are regarded as an additional helpful finding for the histopathological diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular

Peutz-Jeghers polyp with pseudoinvasion is characterized by the presence of mucosal islands within muscle layer often associated with mucinous cysts. It occurs when mucosal components completely penetrate the muscularis propria, and shows no cytologic signs of malignancy. In most instances, the lesion may be the result of forces exerted during intussusception in the involved small intestine. We describe a case of Peutz-Jeghers polyposis with pseudoinvasion in a 24-year-old female patient. This patient presented with intussusception and a segmental resection of the ileum was performed. Microscopically, it disclosed a hamartomatous polyp with pseudoinvasion. There were glandular islands and mucinous cysts embedded within the bundle of muscle, layer, extending, to the subserosa. There was o evidence of cellular dysplasia or desmoplasia.
Female ; Humans ; Cysts

Tumor angiogenesis has been found to have prognostic significance in many tumor types for predicting an increased risk of metastasis. We assessed tumor vascularity in 28 cases of borderline malignancy and 71 cases of carcinoma of the ovary which had been resected and diagnosed, using the highly specific endothelial cell marker CD34. The numbers of microvessels were counted in 200 magnification in three highly vascularised areas. The numbers of microvessels in carcinomas were higher than that in the borderline malignancy of serous and mucinous tumors. The number of microvessels of mucinous carcinomas was significantly higher than that of serous carcinomas. There were neither significant differences in the number of microvessels according to histological tumor types (p=0.075) nor significant differences in the number of microvessels according to FIGO stages (p=0.072). But in serous carcinomas, the number of microvessels was higher in the FIGO III-IV stage than in the FIGO I-II stage (p=0.017). This study showed higher neovascularization in malignant tumor than borderline malignancy, and in the advanced stage (FIGO III-IV) than less advanced stage (FIGO I-II) of serous carcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Endothelial Cells ; Female ; Microvessels ; Mucins ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ovary

The angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitor (Captopril) has recently been studied extensively in various experimental models of radiation injury and has proven its protective effects in various organs, such as the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys. Twenty-three Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into experimental and control group. The experimental group was divided into two large groups: the first one received a single dose of 18 Gy irradiation from an electron beam on the local field of the kidney region only, and the second group received captopril per oral continuously after the same doses of irradiation. The second experimental group was divided into four subgroups by captopril doses: 62.5 mg/l, 125 mg/l, 250 mg/l, and 500 mg/l, respectively. On light and electron microscopy, the kidneys of the irradiated rats with no captopril treatment showed diffuse glomerular contraction, congestion with occlusion and focal necrosis of the endothelial, and mesangial cells. The tubules showed ballooning degeneration, desquamation, and diffuse coagulation necrosis. Captopril treated rats, especially those given a high dose (more than 250 gm/l), revealed a marked reduction of the tubular and glomerular injuries. There was a statistically significant difference in the degree of renal injury among the experimental groups (p<0.05). The result of this study suggests that an administration of high dose captopril might prevent radiation-induced renal injury, especially in the early post-irradiation period.
Animals ; Captopril* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Kidney ; Lung ; Mesangial Cells ; Microscopy, Electron ; Models, Theoretical ; Necrosis ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Radiation Injuries ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

This study was carried out to visualize lead by Timm sulphide silver method and to define lead-induced change of duodenal absorptive cells of rat after administration of 0.01% lead acetate with drinking water. Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250g, were used, and they were orally administered with 0.01% sodium acetate and sacrificed at 0.5, 1, 1.5 hours and 2, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60 days after administration. A portion of duodenal tissue was observed under light microscope, scanning and transmission electron microscopes after development with Danscher method. The blood lead concentration in experimental group began to increase from the 2nd day after administration, and it increased gradually until the 45th day and decreased at the 60th day. On light microscope, many brown lead granules were observed at the villi tip at the 2nd day. There is mild blunting of villi tip at the 45th day. At the 60th day, most of the villi were mildly shortened and showed lymphangiectasia. On scanning electron microscope, the villi tip was mildly blunted and the extrusion zone became irregular at the 45th day. The depth of creases did not change. At the 60th day, the villi tip was moderately blunted and the extrusion zone was markedly irregular. The depth of creases increased. On transmission electron microscope, at 0.5 hour after oral administration, numerous lead granules were diffusely scattered and were not confined to any specific microorganelles. The lead granules decreased with time. At the 7th 15th day, the intercellular spaces were widened and several vacuoles appeared and the condensation of mitochondrial matrix. There was also ribosomal detachment from RER, and there was neither secondary lysosomes or post-lysosomes. At the 30th and 45th day, secondary lysosomes appeared and the condensation of mitochondrial matrix with early formation of myelin figures was noted. At the 60th day, the intercellular space widening extended to the upper most portion of the cells, and nonspeciqic degenerative changes became severe. In view of above mentioned findings, it can be concluded that passive diffusion as well as active transport was partly involved in the absorption of lead. Most of the changes of microorganelle are compatible with nonspecific degenerative changes which could occur due to impairment of oxidative phosphorylation.
Rats ; Animals

Experimental studies suggest that captopril plays an important preventive role in radiation induced renal injury (RRI). To elucidate the pathogenesis of RRI and effect of captopril, one subgroup was irradiated with a single dose of 9 gray (Gy) total body irradiation and another subgroup with 17 Gy local irradiation in the right kidney. Twenty-four healthy looking Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 200~250 g, were divided into one control and three experimental group (EG)s for this study. The control group, composed of 2 rats, was maintained on stock diet and drinking tap water. EG was divided into three. EG 1 composed of two subgroups, the first subgroup, 3 rats each, was sacrificed within 12 hours after 9 Gy and 17 Gy single dose irradiation only and the second subgroup, 2 and 1 rats each, was sacrificed 8 weeks after the same doses irradiation. EG 2 composed of subgroups of 2 and 3 rats was given 500 mg/L of captopril in the drinking water after irradiating them with 9 Gy and 17 Gy and sacrificed in the 8th week. EG 3 was subdivided into four subgroups by captopril doses given, 62.5 mg/L, 125 mg/L and 250 mg/L and sacrificed 20 weeks after 9 Gy and 17 Gy irradiation. On light microscopy proximal convoluted tubules showed cytoplasmic vacuolization and focal necrosis in the subcapsular region in EG 1 sacrificed within 12 hours after 9 Gy and 17 Gy irradiation only (sham) and very mild fibrosis in juxtamedullary regions in rats sacrificed 8 weeks after irradiation. In EG 3 these changes were severely increased with additional increased fibrosis in the juxtamedullary region in the group given captopril 62.5 mg/L. On transmission electron microscopy, there were various degenerative changes of organelle. Among the captopril administered EG 2 and EG 3, rats given a high dosage revealed milder degree of damage compared to that of rats given a low dosage, and thickening of basement membrane was remarkable in rats given a low dosage. There was a reduction in tubular damage related to the captopril dosage. According to the above findings, administration of a high dose of captopril might preserve the ultrastructure in RRI and the possible mechanism of captopril was discussed.
Animals ; Basement Membrane ; Captopril ; Cytoplasm ; Diet ; Drinking ; Drinking Water ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Necrosis ; Organelles ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Water ; Whole-Body Irradiation