Effect of hepatic venous outflow obstruction on pores and fenestration in sinusoidal endothelium

The ultrastructure of pores and fenestrations in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells was examined following partial surgical occlusion of the suprahepatic portion of the inferior vena cava. Within 12 h after partial obstruction of hepatic venous outflow, endothelial pores (less than 0-1 mum in diameter) and sieve plates in the distal halves of sinusoids were greatly reduced in number or were totally absent, and they were replaced by large fenestration (less than 1-0 mum in diameter). These results suggest that pores forming sieve plates may fuse to form large fenestrations. The findings also indicate that sinusoidal hypertension and hypoxia associated with obstruction of hepatic venous outflow alter the distribution of pores and fenestrations in sinusoidal endothelium