Abstract
Fifty liver biopsies of psoriatic patients treated with methotrexate, a folic acid antagonist, for a period from a few weeks up to 15 years have been studied. Liver tissue has been obtained by percutaneous biopsy with a Menghini needle and prepared for electron microscopy by using conventional techniques.In the hepatocytes, profound changes have been revealed in four areas: nucleus, mitochondria, ectoplasmic zone-cell membrane and desmosomes. The nuclei showed reduced electron opacity and almost complete absence of heterochromatin. Cytoplasmic invaginations and glycogen inclusions were common. Mitochondrial pleomorphism, paracrystalline inclusions and giant mitochondria were prominent findings. Compartmentalization, fission and division of mitochondria were also noted. Sequestration of mitochondria via development of cytosegresomes was observed in several cases. Detachment of desmosomes was a conspicuous finding in 25 of 50 biopsies obtained from methotrexate-treated psoriatics. In these livers many or practically all membrane sites with desmosomal specialization appeared to be pulled apart.
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Schedule a callMore From: Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America
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