ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE RENAL PROXIMAL TUBULE EPITHELIOCYTES IN THE DYNAMICS OF THE OBSTRUCTIVE SUBHEPATIC JAUNDICE

Abstract

Background. Obstructive jaundice is accompanied by impaired liver function, a significant increase in serum concentration of biologically active bile components - common bile acids and consequently the development of endotoxicosis.
Objective. To assess the ultrastructural changes developing in the renal proximal tubule epitheliacytes of rats in experimental subhepatic obstructive jaundice.
Materials and methods. An experimental subhepatic obstructive jaundice (with a 1-, 3-, 10-, 30-, and 90-day duration) in rats was modeled by ligation of the common bile duct in the hepatic hilum region. The control group were sham operated animals. The serum concentration of common bile acids of experimental and control groups was determined by an enzyme-colorimetric method. A JRO-100 CX II electron microscope by JROL (Japan) was used for electron microscopic studies.
Results. Throughout the entire period of observation ultrastructural changes have been developing in epithelial cells of proximal tubules of cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons in cholemic animals. These changes are accompanied by disarrangement of the brush border microvilli, focal destruction of the apical surface of the epithelial cells, mitochondrial structure impairment, lysosomal content increase, hydropic dystrophy development.
Conclusion. The observed changes provide direct evidence of severe morphological changes in the tubular apparatus of nephrons, their severity depending on the duration of jaundice and, consequently, on endogenous intoxication caused by cholemia.