LIVER ULTRASTRUCTURE IN PSORIATICS RELATED TO METHOTREXATE THERAPY .1. PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF FINDINGS IN HEPATOCYTES FROM 24 PATIENTS BEFORE AND AFTER METHOTREXATE TREATMENT

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 85  (6) , 787-800
Abstract
In 24 human psoriatics, MTX [methotrexate] probably caused damage to the hepatocytes reflected in the membrane whorls (P < 0.05) and the accumulation of lipid droplets (P < 0.05). There was an increase (P < 0.05) in autophagic vacuoles, which contained mostly glycogen and cell sap with residual bodies. These residual bodies were then found in an increased number in the nearby Kupffer cells. Crystals were found in megamitochondria in most patients before and after MTX therapy. Some of these crystals were found free in the cytoplasm. Mitochondria containing crystals were shown in autophagic vacuoles, representing possible pathways of their breakdown. Bile canaliculi commonly contained debris but only 1 patient had evidence of cholestasis. There was no significant change in nuclei, Golgi apparatus or the endoplasmic reticulum and no statistically significant correlation between the shown changes and the total dose of MTX given.