[Electron microscopy picture of oxyphenisatin-induced liver damage]

Ultrastructural investigations of liver biopsies are performed in 20 cases after phenolisatin reexposition and corresponding reactions of the laboratory findings. Alterations of the nucleus (segregation of nucleolus, condensation of chromatin) and of the rough endoplasmatic reticulum ("disarrangement", fragmentation and loss of ribosomes) were evident in all cases. In contrast, changes of the mitochondria (swelling) in various extent could only be observed in some cases. Besides that, frequently lipid includings and occasionally includings like lysosomal residual bodies are to be seen. Thus, as a hypothesis we suggest the nucleus resp. nucleolus to be one site of aggression of phenolisatin containing drugs. Findings already described by light microscopy such as reactions of the v. KUPFER cells and proliferations of the ductuli as well as cell proliferations in the portal fields are documentated by electronmicroscopy, too.