[Ultrastructural changes in the acinar cells of the pancreas after exposure to cold]

Electron microscopy of acinar cell (AC) of the pancreas cooled to -30 degrees C with subsequent thawing has disclosed the destruction of intracellular membranes, damage to the cell organelles followed by diffusion of the zymogen granule contents to the hyaloplasm and interstice. These changes corresponded to the phase of paranecrosis (cryogenic shock of the cell), whereas the AC lost its ability to autophagocytosis. Irreversible cryodestruction provoked complete cell necrosis during 3-6 hours. The less cold-affected cells were subsequently destroyed because of additional injurious action of enzymatic cytolysis and circulatory hypoxia.