Effect of gallstones on pancreatic acinar cells. An ultrastructural study. 1988

K T Lee, and P Ching Sheen
Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical College, Taiwan, Republic of China.

This paper attempts to demonstrate the influence of gallstones, from different locations, on ultrastructural changes in pancreatic acinar cells. Forty-two gallstone patients with no record of clinical pancreatitis are the subjects of this study. Of these patients, 14 have cholecystolithiasis, 14 have choledocholithiasis, and 14 have primary hepatolithiasis. The findings reveal the following ultrastructural alterations of the pancreatic acinar cells: dilation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, accumulation of lipid droplets, an increase of autophagic vacuoles, residual bodies and myelin figures, alteration of electron density of zymogen granules, and alteration of mitochondria. All these ultrastructural changes are similar to those of clinical acute pancreatitis. With three locations of calculi, these different kinds of gallstones have a similar affect on the fine structure of pancreatic acinar cells, and these changes occur regardless of the size of the common bile duct and the biochemical data. This suggests that irrespective of the location of the gallstones, subclinical cellular injury to acinar cells is caused.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010179 Pancreas A nodular organ in the ABDOMEN that contains a mixture of ENDOCRINE GLANDS and EXOCRINE GLANDS. The small endocrine portion consists of the ISLETS OF LANGERHANS secreting a number of hormones into the blood stream. The large exocrine portion (EXOCRINE PANCREAS) is a compound acinar gland that secretes several digestive enzymes into the pancreatic ductal system that empties into the DUODENUM.
D010186 Pancreatic Function Tests Tests based on the biochemistry and physiology of the exocrine pancreas and involving analysis of blood, duodenal contents, feces, or urine for products of pancreatic secretion. Function Test, Pancreatic,Function Tests, Pancreatic,Pancreatic Function Test,Test, Pancreatic Function,Tests, Pancreatic Function
D002769 Cholelithiasis Presence or formation of GALLSTONES in the BILIARY TRACT, usually in the gallbladder (CHOLECYSTOLITHIASIS) or the common bile duct (CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS). Gallstone Disease,Cholelithiases,Gallstone Diseases
D003594 Cytoplasmic Granules Condensed areas of cellular material that may be bounded by a membrane. Cytoplasmic Granule,Granule, Cytoplasmic,Granules, Cytoplasmic
D004721 Endoplasmic Reticulum A system of cisternae in the CYTOPLASM of many cells. In places the endoplasmic reticulum is continuous with the plasma membrane (CELL MEMBRANE) or outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. If the outer surfaces of the endoplasmic reticulum membranes are coated with ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum is said to be rough-surfaced (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, ROUGH); otherwise it is said to be smooth-surfaced (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, SMOOTH). (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed) Ergastoplasm,Reticulum, Endoplasmic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly

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