Ultrastructural studies in alcoholic liver disease

Electron microscopic studies were performed on liver biopsy specimens from 18 patients with alcoholic liver disease, to describe those ultrastructural changes associated with the disease by contrast with those seen in normal individuals given alcohol. Alterations of mitochondria, microbodies, lysosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum were more frequent and more severe than in normal volunteers given alcohol. Abnormalities of the mitochondrial membranes, the presence of alcoholic In aline, and the leukocytic and fibroblastic mesenchymal response, suggested that alcoholic liver disease was more than an extension of the effect of alcohol alone. These changes appeared to contribute to further hepatocellular damage. The pattern of parenchymal injury and mesenchymal response was unlike that in viral hepatitis. None of the features were considered specific, except for alcoholic hyaline, although the set of findings appeared to be of diagnostic value.