[Hepatocyte ultrastructure in mice with chronic T-2 mycotoxicosis]

Trichothecene mycotoxin (T-2 toxin) was administered by gastric intubation to CBAXC57BL/6 mice at a dose of 0.33-0.45 mg/kg for 6 months. No symptoms of intoxication were observed, however, electron microscopic studies revealed a severe damage of hepatocyte structure, especially of smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Besides the destruction of hepatocytes an increase in the number of primary and secondary lysosomes was observed. Regenerating foci were found in the majority of liver cells. In chronic T-2 mycotoxicosis there is a strong correlation between the damage of hepatocyte ultrastructure and the changes in organella-specific enzymatic activity in the liver, that was described previously.