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Periacinar collagenization in patients with chronic alcoholism
Author(s) -
Kuroda Junji,
Suda Koichi,
Hosokawa Yoshinori
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
pathology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1440-1827
pISSN - 1320-5463
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1827.1998.tb03852.x
Subject(s) - myofibroblast , pathology , autopsy , fibrosis , medicine , endoplasmic reticulum , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
To examine the development of pancreatic fibrosis In alcoholics, the fibrosis types grouped according to Martin's classification were examined by immunohlstochemistty using an antibody against α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA). The initial stage of periacinar collagenizatlon was also Investigated by electron microscopy. The total incidence of pancreatlc fibrosis at autopsy of the 29 alcoholics was significantly higher than that of the 40 non‐alcoholics. lntralobular sclerosis was observed to be the most frequent type of fibrosls regardless of alcohol intake. No differences in the enhancement of α‐SMA expresslon in each type of fibrosis were found between the alcoholics and non‐alcoholics. Electron microscopically, myofibroblasts were found around acini in the early stage of periacinar collagenization, and were accompanled by numerous fine filaments (8–15 nm in diameter). The various changes In zymogen granules (ZG), lysosomes and lipld droplets were augmented in the acinar cells of alcoholics. Medlumdensity materials were also found in dilated rough endoplasmic retlculum (RER). The contents of ZG and RER occasionally leaked out. In conclusion, pancreatlc fibrosis was increased in alcoholics; myofibroblasts may play an important role in the initial stage of periacinar collagenizatlon; and the intracellular transport blockage of protein as represented by abnormalities of ZG, ER and lysosomes may contribute to the development of periacinar collagenization.