Lipolysosomes in human hepatocytes. Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies of patients with Wilson's disease

Lab Invest. 1975 Jul;33(1):1-7.

Abstract

Lipid droplets surrounded by a peripheral membrane closely apposed to an electron-dense layer and containing acid phosphatase activity, similar to the lipolysosomes in hamsters described by Nehemiah and Novikoff (J. Cell Biol. 59: 246a, 1973; Exp. Mol. Pathol. 21:398, 1974), were found in the hepatocytes of patients with Wilson's disease. These organelles account for 1 to 2 per cent of the observed lipid droplets at the stage of the disease when excess fat is present. The occurrence of lipolysosomes in a condition not known to be associated with an acid lipase deficiency suggests that lipolysosomes may represent a nonspecific, alternate route for the mobilization of excess lipid from hepatocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acid Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / drug therapy
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / enzymology
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / pathology*
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Lipids
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / ultrastructure*
  • Lysosomes / enzymology
  • Lysosomes / ultrastructure*
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Mitochondria, Liver / ultrastructure
  • Penicillamine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Lipids
  • Acid Phosphatase
  • Penicillamine