[Electron microscopic and histochemical study of the rat adrenal cortex treated with aminoglutethimide (Elipten,...

Aminoglutethimide blocks the conversion of free cholesterin to delta5-pregnenolone. It's effects on the fasciculata cells were studied electron microscopically in Wistar rats fed with this chemical for a maximum of seven days. The animals surviving after this treatment were also examined to follow the process of restoration from the damage. Four to seven days the initiation of the feeding, the mitochondria were enlarged, variously deformed and contained intramitochondrial vacuoles. The lipid droplets were increased in size. Three to four days after withdrawal of aminoglutethimide, so-called "intramitochondrial mitochondria" appeared. The picture suggesting division of the mitochondrial matrx was also occasionally encountered. These features suggested formation of new mitochondria from preexisting mitochondria. The mitochondria resumed their normal shape and appearance starting about ten days after withdrawal of aminoglutethimide. The electron microscopic histochemical method demonstrated tubular crystals of digitonin-cholesterol in the intramitochondrial vacoles as well as in the lipid droplets 4 days after the initiation of the feeding. The withdrawal of aminoglutethimide was followed with disappearance of these crystals from the sites of deposition.