Camellia oil has become an important plant oil in China in recent years, but its effects on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have not been documented. In this study, the effects of camellia oil, soybean oil, and olive oil on NAFLD were evaluated by analyzing the fatty acid profiles of the plant oils, the serum lipids and lipoproteins of rats fed different oils, and by cytological and ultrastructural observation of the rats' hepatocytes. Analysis of fatty acid profiles showed that the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) n-6/n-3 ratio was 33.33 in camellia oil, 12.50 in olive oil, and 7.69 in soybean oil. Analyses of serum lipids and lipoproteins of rats showed that the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in a camellia oil-fed group (COFG) were lower than those in an olive oil-fed group (OOFG) and higher than those in a soybean oil-fed group (SOFG). However, only the difference in total cholesterol between the COFG and SOFG was statistically significant. Cytological observation showed that the degree of lipid droplet (LD) accumulation in the hepatocytes in the COFG was lower than that in the OOFG, but higher than that in the SOFG. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that the size and number of the LDs in the hepatocytes of rats fed each of the three types of oil were related to the degree of damage to organelles, including the positions of nuclei and the integrity of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The results revealed that the effect of camellia oil on NAFLD in rats was greater than that of soybean oil, but less than that of olive oil. Although the overall trend was that among the three oil diets, those with a lower n-6/n-3 ratio were associated with a lower risk of NAFLD, and the effect of camellia oil on NAFLD was not entirely related to the n-6/n-3 ratio and may have involved other factors. This provides new insights into the effect of oil diets on NAFLD.
Animals ; Camellia/chemistry* ; Fatty Acids/analysis* ; Hepatocytes/ultrastructure* ; Lipid Droplets/physiology* ; Lipids/blood* ; Male ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/pathology* ; Plant Oils/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Donation after brain death followed by circulatory death (DBCD) is a unique practice in China. The aim of this study was to define the pathologic characteristics of DBCD liver allografts in a porcine model. Fifteen male pigs (25-30 kg) were allocated randomly into donation after brain death (DBD), donation after circulatory death (DCD) and DBCD groups. Brain death was induced by augmenting intracranial pressure. Circulatory death was induced by withdrawal of life support in DBCD group and by venous injection of 40 mL 10% potassium chloride in DCD group. The donor livers were perfused in situ and kept in cold storage for 4 h. Liver tissue and common bile duct samples were collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining, TUNEL testing and electron microscopic examination. Spot necrosis was found in hepatic parenchyma of DBD and DBCD groups, while a large area of necrosis was shown in DCD group. The apoptosis rate of hepatocytes in DBD [(0.56±0.30)%] and DBCD [(0.50 ± 0.11)%] groups was much lower than that in DCD group [(3.78±0.33)%] (P<0.05). And there was no significant difference between DBD group and DBCD group (P>0.05)). The structures of bile duct were intact in both DBD and DBCD groups, while the biliary epithelium was totally damaged in DCD group. Under electron microscope, the DBD hepatocytes were characterized by intact cell membrane, well-organized endoplasmic reticulum, mild mitochondria edema and abundant glycogens. Broken cell membrane, mild inflammatory cell infiltration and sinusoidal epithelium edema, as well as reduced glycogen volume, were found in the DBCD hepatocytes. The DCD hepatocytes had more profound cell organelle injury and much less glycogen storage. In conclusion, the preservation injury of DBCD liver allografts is much less severe than that of un-controlled DCD, but more severe than that of DBD liver allografts under electron microscope, which might reflect post-transplant liver function to some extent.
Allografts ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Brain Death ; China ; Death ; Heart Arrest ; Hepatocytes ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Liver ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Microscopy, Electron ; Organ Preservation ; methods ; Swine ; Tissue Donors ; Tissue and Organ Procurement ; methods

OBJECTIVETo determine the roles of mitochondrial apoptosis and energy metabolism in hepatocytes during the pathogenic process of acute renal failure (ALF) by assessing disease-related differential activities of several key mitochondrial enzymes, including citrate synthase (CS), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) and cytochrome c oxidase (COX).

METHODSThirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were given D-galactosamine followed by and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce acute liver failure and sacrificed after 4 (4 h group), 8 (8 h group) 12 (12 h group) and 24 hours (24 h group) of treatment. Eight unmodeled rats served as controls. Effects related to apoptosis were evaluated by pathological analysis of hepatic tissues and TUNEL staining. Ultrastructural changes in mitochondria were assessed by electron microscopy. The activity and expression of CS, CPT-1 and COX were measured.

RESULTSHepatocyte apoptosis was present in the 4 h treatment group and was increased obviously in the 8 h treatment group. Hepatocyte necrosis was first observed in the 12 h treatment group and was significantly higher in the 24 h treatment group, with inflammatory cell invasion. Ultrastructural changes in mitochondria were present in the 4 h treatment group, and the 24 h treatment group showed mitochondria with completely destroyed outer membranes, which resulted in mitochondrial collapse. Activity and protein expression of CS, CPT-1 and COX were increased in the 4 h group (vs. controls), were at their peak in the 8 h group (CS:t =1.481, P less than 0.01; CPT-1:t =2.619, P less than 0.05; COX:t =1.014, P less than 0.01) and showed a decreasing trend in the 12 h group. In addition, the activities of CS, CPT-1 and COX were enhanced at the stage of hepatocyte apoptosis, suggesting that these enzymes were involved in the initiation and development of ALF.

CONCLUSIONEnergy metabolism plays an important role in hepatocyte apoptosis during ALF.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase ; metabolism ; Citrate (si)-Synthase ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electron Transport Complex IV ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; enzymology ; Liver Failure, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mitochondria ; ultrastructure ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the pathological characteristics of inborn hyperbilirubinemia of patients with Gilbert's syndrome (GS).

METHODSPatients with GS (n = 7) and patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB; n = 8) were enrolled in the study. GS was diagnosed by peripheral blood analysis results showing glucuronyl transferase gene mutation. The histology and ultrastructure of biopsied liver tissues were evaluated by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe GS group showed normal structure in the hepatic portal area and lobule; however, bile pigment granules with high electron density were noted in the hepatocytes. The CHB group showed abnormal structure of the hepatic lobules, including infiltration of inflammatory cells, necrotic regions, degenerated hepatocytes, bile duct injury, and fibrosis in the portal tracts; a few bile pigment granules were observed. The GS group also showed greater quantity and size of bilirubin deposits than the CHB group.

CONCLUSIONThe histological and ultrastructural features of GS include normal hepatic lobule and deposition of bile pigment granules in hepatocytes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Gilbert Disease ; pathology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; pathology ; Hepatocytes ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Liver ; cytology ; pathology ; Male ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of Shaoganduogan (SGDG) on serum transaminase, liver pathology and hepatocyte mitochondria in rat with subacute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride.

METHODSubacute liver injury of rats were induced by carbon tetrachloride, and cured by different doses of SGDG through intragastric administration. The activity of serum ALT, AST, liver pathology and ultrastructure, activity of ATPase, SOD and content of MDA of hepatocyte mitochondria were observed.

RESULTSGDG can remarkably reduce the transaminase, alleviate the degeneration and necrosis of liver cells ,enhance activity of Na+ -K+ ATPase, Ca2+ ATPase, SOD, reduce content of MDA of mitochondria, alleviate ultrastructure change of mitochondria, reduce section area, perimeter equivalent diameter and average optical density perimeter of liver cells.

CONCLUSIONSGDG has obvious effect of liver protection, the mechanisms are related with alleviating mitochondria injury.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; adverse effects ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore characteristics of the myelin-like bodies in the hepatocytes of patients with Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) complicated with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODS11 cases of DJS complicated with CHB and 5 cases DJS without CHB were studied clinicopathologically. The hepatocyte ultrastructure was observed with transmission electron microscope and taken photos. The data were compared and analyzed using Fisher's Exact Test.

RESULTSDeposition of myelin-like bodies can be observed in the hepatocytes of DJS patients with CHB but can not in DJS patients without CHB. The morphology of pigment varys. The electron density and volume of pigment in DJS patients with CHB can be classified into five types: brights (2/11,18.2%), reticulation (1/11, 9.1%), punctiform (6/11, 54.5%), abnormity (1/11, 9.1%) and primary type (1/11, 9.1%). The myelin-like bodies in the hepatocytes of patients with DJS are high density and round with membrance (we named it as primary type) (5/5, 100%).

CONCLUSIONSThe myelin-like bodies in the hepatocytes of DJS patients with CHB possess special pleomorphism and may have important diagnostic value.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; pathology ; Hepatocytes ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Jaundice, Chronic Idiopathic ; complications ; pathology ; Male ; Myelin Sheath ; ultrastructure ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the ultrastructural changes of hepatocyte fibrogenesis in cholelithiasis in biliary tract.

METHODSl0 liver biopsies were taken from the patients suffered from gallstone and choledocholithiasis during surgical treatment and the ultrastructural changes were observed under electromicroscope.

RESULTSThere were plentiful collagenous microfibrils (CMFs) grown within some hepatocytes. These CMFs distributed locally or diffusely in cytoplasm even extended into nucleus. In 7 cases numerous megamitochondrias appeared in several hepatocytes, the inclusions mimicking fibrils could be frequently seen and grew beyond the envelope. Furthermore, typical CMFs could be seen in the large microbodies, and several vesicular or cystic structures similar as fibroblast were presented in marginal areas of the hepatocytes.

CONCLUSIONSWe deduce that the fibrosed hepatocytes may be remained and take part in the hyperplasia of hepatic fibrous tissue.

Adult ; Cholelithiasis ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Hepatocytes ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological features of infantile cytomegalovirus hepatitis.

METHODLiver biopsies from 30 cases of infantile cytomegalovirus hepatitis were observed under optical microscope and electronic microscope.

RESULTThe main clinical manifestations were jaundice, splenohepatomegaly and hypohepatia. Laboratory test showed dysfunction of liver, high level of CMV DNA, and high titer of anti-CMV antibody. Imaging examination demonstrated hepatomegaly. The histological changes were hepatocellular degeneration, necrosis, apoptosis, and fibrosis. The histological characteristics of cytomegalovirus hepatitis, including intranuclear inclusions in multinucleated giant cells and pseudo-lumens, were also observed under optical microscope. In addition, virion was observed in the nuclei and cytoplasm of hepatocytes under electronic microscope.

CONCLUSIONThe viral DNA and serological tests have limited utility for the diagnosis of infantile cytomegalovirus hepatitis, and the final diagnosis depends on histopathology.

Biopsy, Needle ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; pathology ; Female ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; pathology ; Hepatocytes ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Inclusion Bodies, Viral ; pathology ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Mitochondria, Liver ; pathology ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVESTo study the feasibility and possibility to diagnose Wilson disease with electronmicroscopical examination of liver biopsies.

METHODSClinical analysis, histological observation and ultrastructural examination were performed on 15 children with Wilson disease.

RESULTSAll 15 subjects had symptoms of hepatic disorders, such as jaundice. Morphological signs of hepatocyte injury in three phase, namely steatosis, mitochondrion changes and cholestasis in bile canaliculi of the early phase, nucleus injury, dilation of endoplasmic reticulum, increase of lysosomes and appearance of residual bodies of the second phase, and massive autophagy and cirrhosis of the late phase were shown. A few inflammatory cells in the liver specimens were observed. Accumulation of copper in lysosomes and autophagosomes was found by energy-dispersion X-ray.

CONCLUSIONThe diagnostic signs for Wilson disease are autophagosomes in hepatocytes, cirrhosis accompanied with a few of inflammatory cells. A certain diagnosis of the disease depends on the finding of copper accumulation in hepatocytes.

Adolescent ; Biopsy, Needle ; Child ; Copper ; metabolism ; Female ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In spite of increasing interests about nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), there are few reports about the ultrastructure of hepatocyte in this disease. The aim of this study was to clarify abnormal electron microscopic (EM) findings and related factors in NASH. METHODS: Total of fourteen patients who underwent liver biopsy due to steatohepatitis were included. Precise personal history was taken and variable blood tests such as liver function test, lipid profile, and serum iron study were done. Pathologic examination with light and electron microscopy was done by single pathologist. RESULTS: Eleven men and three women were included and mean age was 33.7+/-12.8 years. Nine patients drinking less than 40 g/week was grouped as "NASH group" and other 5 patients drinking more than 40 g/week and body mass index less than 25 was grouped as "ASH (Alcoholic Steatohepatitis) group". Polymorphism of mitochondria such as megamitochondria or loss of cristae was major abnormal EM findings and was more common in "NASH group" than "ASH group" (p=0.027). There was no significant clinical or pathological factors related with the presence of these abnormal EM findings. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphism of mitochondria is major abnormal EM finding of steatohepatitis and is more common in NASH than ASH. And there is no significant clinical or pathological factors which could predict the presence of these abnormal EM findings.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Fatty Liver/*pathology ; Female ; Hepatocytes/*ultrastructure ; Humans ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic/*pathology ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Middle Aged ; Mitochondria, Liver/ultrastructure