Histochemical examination of lysosomal exzymes in necrotic proximal renal tubules of albino rats.

The lysosomal enzymatic activity of the necrotic proximal tubules was examined by light microscopy and electron microscopy in 24- and 48-h focal renal cortical necrosis induced by administration of oestrogen and posterior pituitary extract in rats. Organelles exhibiting acid phosphatase activity can also be seen in the necrotic cells but these differ in size and structure from the lysosomes of normal cells. The cytoplasmic nonspecific esterase and thioacetic acid hydrolase activities decrease considerably or disappear, although some morphologically damaged, but active, lysosomes can be observed. The role of thelysosomal enzymes is seen not in the development of the necrosis but rather in the breaking down of the already necrotic cell constituents.