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[Morphological studies on liver in septic state by mice with E. coli injection into the abdominal cavity]
H Kodama1, Y Morishita, T Anzai
1Second Department of Surgery, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to elucidate morphological changes in septicemic mice induced by an injection of E. coli into the abdominal cavity and to discuss the relationship between the clinical findings and morphological ones. The liver of septicemic mice was morphologically demonstrated, a) Kupffer cells entrapped bacteria and erythrocytes, and large lysosomes were found in Kupffer cells, b) hepatocytes with low dense cytosol increased, and in the hepatocytes, many conglomerations of lysosome and cytolysome, and degeneration of rER, sER and mitochondria were identified, c) intercellular bile canaliculus became narrow. The conclusion is as follows: 1) the increase of the serum level of T. bili is caused by the increase of the phagocyte of erythrocytes by Kupffer cells and by the dysfunction of bile transformation and transportation in hepatocytes, 2) the increase of the serum level of GOT, GPT and LDH is caused by the degeneration of mitochondria in hepatocytes, 3) the decrease of the capacity to synthesize protein and lipid is due to the degeneration of cell organelles in hepatocytes.
Insights
Septicemia in mice induced by E. coli causes liver damage. Morphological changes in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes correlate with clinical findings like elevated liver enzymes and impaired protein synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Microbiology
- Pathology
Context:
- Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to infection.
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common bacterial pathogen that can cause sepsis.
Purpose:
- To investigate the liver's morphological alterations in mice with E. coli-induced septicemia.
- To correlate observed pathological changes with clinical markers of liver injury.
Summary:
- In septicemic mice, Kupffer cells phagocytosed bacteria and erythrocytes, showing enlarged lysosomes.
- Hepatocytes exhibited decreased cytoplasmic density, lysosomal/cytolysosomal conglomerations, and organelle degeneration (rER, sER, mitochondria).
- Narrowing of intercellular bile canaliculi was observed, alongside impaired bile transport and synthesis functions.
Impact:
- This study links specific liver cell damage in sepsis to observable clinical indicators.
- Understanding these morphological changes aids in diagnosing and managing septicemic liver dysfunction.