The adrenal cortex in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits. Histochemical and electron microscopical changes
Date
1978-2
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
The adrenals of rabbits on a cholesterol-rich diet for 35 days showed histopathological changes, a marked increase in weight and a lowering in the ascorbate content. A focal increase in the neutral lipid and cholesterol content was noted mostly in the inner cortical zones; and a characteristic acid phosphatase-positive pattern in areas of infiltrating cells, and an alkaline phosphatase-positive reaction in heterophils in the infiltrated areas. Electron microscopy confirmed that the zona glomerulosa cells were relatively normal in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits, while necrosis and fibrosis were very obvious in the inner two zones. The cellular infiltrate was shown to consist of large, granular mononuclear cells, heterophils, eosinophils, stromal phagocytes, lymphocytes and plasma cells. The possibility that the reaction was of an immunological nature is considered. The morphology of the adrenals of rabbits which were on a cholesterol-rich diet for 35 days and on a normal diet for 6 weeks afterwards, was indistinguishable from that of those rabbits killed after 35 days on a cholesterol-rich diet.
Description
CITATION: Rossouw, D.J., Chase, C.C. & Engelbrecht, F.M. 1978. The adrenal cortex in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits. Histochemical and electron microscopical changes. S Afr Med J, 53(2):282-286.
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Hypercholesteremia, Adrenal cortex -- Histochemistry, Adrenal cortex -- Microscopy
Citation
Rossouw, D.J., Chase, C.C. & Engelbrecht, F.M. 1978. The adrenal cortex in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits. Histochemical and electron microscopical changes. S Afr Med J, 53(2):282-286.