Age Difference in the Cortisone Induced Changes of the Mice Hepatic Cells

Part 2. Ultramicromeasuring and electroncytochemical studies

Abstract

Age differences in cortisone induced changes of mitochondria, microbodies and endoplasmic reticulums of the mice hepatic cells and in the recovery process from them were studied electron microscopically and ultracytochemically, using female mice of SM strain.
In case of cortisone treatment, the mitochondria decreased in number and increased in size. In the old aged, the changes were more markedly noticed but the recovery from them was slower compared with other younger groups.
The cytochrome c oxidase activity was ultracytochemically demonstrated in the membrane system of the enlarged mitochondria in all age groups.
After cortisone treatment, microbodies increased in number. In the old aged, the increase was more markedly noticed than other younger groups.
Endoplasmic reticulums were decreased in number after cortisone treatment; in the old age group, the decrease was more marked and recovery from it was slower.
Some interesting differences between mitochondria and microbodies in their changing pattern in case of cortisone treatment were discussed from various points of view.