Unusual Intramitochondrial Inclusions in Hepatocytes in a Case of Hemochromatosis (Seecondary)

Abstract

Intramitochondrial granules and inclusions have been widely reported throughout the literature. Many of the inclusions studied fall into the category of crystalline or paracrystalline structures found in mitochondria of normal and pathological cells. It was suggested that the inclusions are formed by alteration of mitochondrial cristae. Amorphous masses and the accumulation of divalent cations in granule form have also been noted in mitochondria under a variety of conditions such as ethionine poisoning, vitamin D deficiency, Gilbert's disease, carbon tetrachloride poisoning, chronic alcoholism, cellular aging as well as changes in the ionic environment of the cell. Normal mitochondrial granules measure approximately 300 A to 500 A and are considered an integral part of the mitochondrion. The intramitochondrial inclusions which are the subject of this report differ from the normal intramitochondrial granule and those inclusions mentioned above in size, density, shape and sub-structure.