Ultrastructural and Cytochemical Evaluation of the Cytotoxicities of Trimethylpentane on Rat Renal and Hepatic Tissues

摘要

This investigates acute cytopathologic effects of 2,3,4-trimethylpentane, a major constituent of gasoline, on renal and hepatic tissues of the mature male rat. Three groups of rats each were administered trimethylpentane by gavage twice weekly for 7,14, or 28 days at a concentration of 1.5 ml/kg body weight. The tissues were fixed by perfusion, and processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Within the glomerular complex there was a significant increase in the number of microvilli associated with various branches of podocytes. Experimental tissue demonstrated greater concentrations of injected cationized fettitin particles between the basal lamina and endothelium. Cells of the proximal convoluted tubule were characterized by membrane-bound, PAS positive hyaline droplets. At focal points along segments of the proximal tubule intact epithelial cells dissociated from the basal lamina, underwent necrosis and collected along the tubular lumen. Cellular debris concentrated at the corticomedullary junction. There was no observable ultrastructural alterations among hepatocytes of exposed liver. The endoplasmic reticulum content appeared similar to control levels.