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Cytoplasmic crystalloids in irradiated rat parotid glands
Author(s) -
Sholley Milton M.,
Pratt Neal E.,
Sodicoff Marvin
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0714.1981.tb01265.x
Subject(s) - vacuole , cytoplasm , pathology , ultrastructure , biology , parotid gland , lysosome , autophagy , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , medicine , biochemistry , apoptosis , enzyme
Cytoplasmic crystalloids were found in paroid aeinar cells of rats given a large (6400 R) single exposure of X‐rays to the head and neck. The crystalloids were first observed 1 day after irradiation and became numerous at 3–4 days. They were associated with autophagie vucuoles, which were seen in acinar cells as early as 3–6 h. Crystalloids sometimes appeared to be forming within autophagic vacuoles, which also contained membranous residues and apparently degenerating secretory material. They were bounded by a single, smooth membrane and had a substructure consisting of dense, parallel longitudinal striations. The crystalloids were also seen in macrophages associated with the basal surfaces of acinar cells. At 3–4 days macrophages were numerous and many contained crystalloids, degenerated secretory droplets, and other cellular debris, which they apparently had phagocytosed. By 6–8 days crystalloids and macrophages were seen infrequently. Regarding mode of formation, removal by macrophages, and ultrastructure, the crystalloids resembled those described by others after ethionine intoxication. Ethionine‐induced crystalloids have cytochemical characteristics consistent with a lysosomal identity. The crystalloids in irradiated parotid glands probably reflect a variant type of lysosome, which is a nonspecific manifestation of severe cellular injury and can be elicited by a variety of injurious agents.