[The characteristics of thermal action on the stability of liver lysosomes in rats].

The direct effect of temperature on the structural integrity of lysosomes was studied. Destruction of these particles was minimum in hypothermia but increased sharply in hyperthermia. A studied concentrated lysosome fraction proved to be heterogeneous in thermoresistance. The lysosome membranes started melting at 12.5 degrees C and melted completely at 38.5 degrees C. The results of the study show that the surrounding temperature may produce a direct damaging effect on the lysosomes, and support the assumption that the lysosomes play an important role as one of the key factors of the molecular mechanisms of the formation of a pathological condition in generalized hypo- and hyperthermia.