[Morphology and various problems of the pathogenesis of alcoholic microangiopathy]

Alcoholic microangiopathy was studied on the biopsy material from kidneys, skin and salivary glands of alcoholic patients by means of histochemical, immunohistochemical and electron-microscopic methods. Its formation is mainly caused by the direct action of ethanol on microcirculatory vessels. Alcohol-induced microangiopathy is morphologically manifested by the accumulation of intermediate filaments in the cytoplasm of endotheliocytes and perivascular infiltrate macrophages. The expression of pathological changes in the cytoskeleton is reduced due to the abstinence from alcohol. Glomerulonephritis in alcoholic patients, that can be considered as a peculiar manifestation of alcoholic microangiopathy, is immunocomplex with predominance in these immune complexes of IgA in combination with IgG and C3 complement fraction. Morphologically it is characterized by the accumulation of intermediate filaments in the cytoplasm of podocytes, mesangiocytes, nephrocytes and some endothelial cells, as well as early and quick formation of fibroplastic transformation and cirrhosis of the kidney.