抄録
The adrenal glands of 141 cases with various liver diseases were histologically investigated with particular attention to the zona glomerulosa adulta (Sasano) and the adrenal venous system.
Hyperplasia of the outer cortex, particularly of the adult glomerulosa was observed in chronic liver disease, mainly in liver cirrhosis, and. was prominent in the left adrenals. The findings are regarded as an expression of secondary aldosteronism. Dilatation and proliferation of capsular veins with dilatation of the cortical veins were also confirmed in chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatoma. Again, the findings were prominent on the left side. Medullary veins smaller than 0.4 mm in diameter had hypertrophied muscular walls. These suggest that the adrenal glands are involved in the collateral circulation in portal hypertension.
The fasciculata was the main site of acute cortical injuries, which was prominent on the right side. The lesions are regarded to be induced not only indirectly by nonspecific stimulation via the pituitary gland, but also directly by local noxious influences from the diseased liver. In the anterior pituitary swelling and degranulation of S cells were found corresponding to acute injuries in the adrenal cortex. In chronic liver disease S cells were relatively well preserved and R cells were slightly increased in number. No pathognomonic lesions due to liver disease were found in the pituitary.
