Histoenzymatic and ultrastructural changes in the hepatocytes of gamma-irradiated rabbits

Ultrastructural changes and intracellular enzyme activities in the hepatocytes were studied in rabbits irradiated with 550 rads of gamma rays at 1,3,6,9,15 and 30 days after irradiation. Swelling and marked rarefaction of the mitochondrial matrix observed on the first day were followed by gradual condensation of the matrix between the 6th and 9th day. This state was accompanied by marked reduction in the succinate dehydrogenase activity, ehich gradually returned to the normal by the 30th day of observation. In the hyaloplasm, the most intense changes developed between the third and sixth day and were manifested by clearing of the cytoplasm and marked fragmentation of the endoplasmic membranes, with concurrent negligible decline of the lactate dehydrogenase activity and unchanged glucose-6-phosphatase activity. In the Golgi apparatus, vacuolization of the cytoplasm and fragmentation of smooth membranes were most pronounced on the 6th day and were correlated with a weakened and diffuse reaction for thiamine pyrophosphatase. The alkaline phosphatase activity was irregularly distributed in the lobule. The activities of lysosomal hydrolases, i.e. acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and non-specific esterase, had various localizations within the lobules. The strongest deviations from the normal and of longest duration. (up to 9 days) were seen in the Browicz-Kupffer cells. Complex studies on the same material conducted concurrently with the use of different methods showed that radiation damages structure and function in unequal degrees. Moreover, within the same organ the cellular response to ionizing radiation varies according to the character, localization and functional state of the cells. Deviations from the normal state occur between the first and ninth days, most of the structural and functional elements showing sings of return to the normal about the 15th day after irradiation.