[The fructose induced "glycogenosis". I. Ultrastructural and morphometric analysis of rat hepatocytes 7 days after fructose overload (author's transl)].

BACKGROUND

Infusion of fructose has been shown to stimulate the SER and to reduce the RER in rat liver cells. After feeding fructose of 7 days a glycogenosis of unknown pathogenesis occurs, which was analysed morphometrically.

METHODS

60% fructose in water, was given as drinking water to animals deprived of other food. Controls had free access to Altromin-R-standard diet and drinking water. Liver tissue was analysed morphometrically according to the methods described by Weibel.

CONCLUSIONS

Rat hepatocytes accumulate a material with histochemical properties of glycogen. The enlargement of hepatic nuclei is probably due to a pathological edema. The SER is decreased suggesting a drop of glycogen catabolizing enzymes. The drastic reduction of the RER and the non-membrane bound ribosomes are signs of inpeeded protein synthesis. According to this, the peroxisomes, which arise from the RER, are decreased in volume and number. The hepatocellular chondrioma is transformed morphometrically in a smaller number of larger, pleomorphic and cup-shaped mitochondria. The ATP level drops while, on the other hand, the cristeal membranes increase. This might be caused by a negative feed back mechanism. The hepatocellular cytoarchitecture described is similar to the one found in glycogenosis type I and in the cerebrohepato-renal syndrom.