The ultrastructural study on epithelium of gallbladder with gallstones

To investigate the fine structures of epithelium, 30 patients bearing gallstones were subjects for this study: ten for gallbladders with cholesterol stones, 10 for pigment stones and 10 for the control. The electron microscopic examination of these specimens revealed that all the epithelial cells from three gallbladder models had similar ultrastructural features. The most striking feature was the presence of numerous mucous droplets in the apical portion of the all epithelial cells. Another prominent finding was multivesicular bodies predominantly in gallbladders with pigment stone. Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria were apparent and well-developed. Crescent and semi-circular structures were found exclusively in gallbladders with cholesterol gallstones. According to the well-developed Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum and abundant mucous droplets, these epithelial cells are presumably mucus secretory cells. The gallbladder epithelium may play an important role in regulating the stone formation.