[On the influence of hypoxia on the sinus endothelial cells of rat liver. A scanning and transmission electron microscopic investigation (author's transl)].

Fine structural alterations of liver sinusoids in young and adult albino rats breathing 6% oxygen in nitrogen at normal atmospheric pressure for periods from 3 to 30 h were described by use of TEM and SEM. After short-term hypoxia the fenestrated areas of endothelial cells were partially destroyed. After long--term hypoxia wide gaps could be visualized in the endothelium, too. In the liver specimens of all hypoxic animals electron lucent membrane bounded blebs arose from the endothelial lining. Cytoplasmic protrusions of hepatocytes bulged into the sinusoidal lumen. In the space of Disse and the sinusoidal lumen bleblike corpuscles and parts of cytoplasmic membrane being discharged from liver cell vacuoles could be observed. The find structure of liver sinusoids in hypoxia was very similar in young and adult albino rats. The findings suggest a discharge of metabolites and cellular components from endothelial cells and hepatocytes in a state of energetic insufficiency by forming cellular blebs and protrusions. It was supposed, that the combined effects of hypoxia and shearing of circulating blood were responsible for the development of holes and gaps in the endothelial lining.