Einfluβ des Hungers auf die quantitative Cytoarchitektur der Rattenleberzelle: I. Absoluter Hunger und Wiederauffütterung

Abstract

Introduction: The extreme adaptability of the cell organelles enables the mammalian organism to survive starvation during a considerable time span. Therefore, it was interesting to analyse morphometrically the influence of starvation upon the hepatic cytoarchitecture. Material and Method: 3 animals were subjected to absolute starvation lasting 3, 6 and 9 days; 3 animals were refed during 3 days, and 3 animals served as controls. The morphometric analysis was done according to Weibel (1966). Results: Until the ninth day of starvation the hepatocytic single volume decreases by 50%. The mitochondrial single volume shows a sevenfold increase until the ninth day of starvation. The number of mitochondria per hepatocyte, however, decreases. The cristae surface per unit volume mitochondrion is reduced from the third day of starvation onward. The SER and RER surface per hepatocyte decreases drastically between the sixth and ninth day of starvation. The volume share of lysosomes per hepatocyte doubles until the sixth day of starvation. Discussion: During absolute starvation lasting nine days, the hepatocyte is re-organized in two phases. The compensation phase goes on until the sixth day of starvation and is characterized by a stringent response of the cell as reflected in its architecture i. e. the maintainance and elaboration of only those structures mandatory for its continued vitality. Apparently, the enlargement of mitochondria is not only a swelling process but may also be due to membrane synthesis and modification of the energetic mitochondrial configuration. The decompensation phase starts between the sixth and the ninth day of starvation. It is characterised by a hepatocytic vita minima. The mitochondria lose their membrane integrity and swell. During a refeeding period of 3 days the morphometric parameters of hepatocytes normalize; the hepatocyte single volume and the membranes of the RER shows a overshooting increase.