Cytokeratin filaments of the liver of BALB/c mice as a sensitive marker of liver damage. Computer-aided characterization with the image analysing system "IBAS".
The cytoskeleton forms a complex structural network which is of major importance for both structural integrity and physiologic functions of the cell. The aim of the present investigation was to investigate whether hepatotoxic effects of nitrosamine and colchicine can be detected through changes in the cytokeratin filament system which is an important component of the cytoskeleton. Groups of 10 male and 10 female newborn BALB/c mice were treated with either 25 micrograms dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) injected intraperitoneally on the day of birth; or with a daily subcutaneous injection of 0.12 micrograms/kg b.w. colchicine starting at ten weeks of age. A third group of mice served as untreated controls. All animals were held under standard laboratory conditions until necropsy at 16 weeks of age. The group injected with DMN received 0.05% phenobarbital with their drinking water after weaning. The histologic changes in the liver tissue were characterized by light microscopy. Changes of the cytokeratin filaments were visualized by the indirect immunofluorescent technique and quantified by using the image analysing system "IBAS". The cytokeratin filaments in the DMN group were markedly increased in amount and had a variety of morphological alterations. These effects could be measured quantitatively and did not indicate any sex-dependent behavior. The colchicine group did not display any structural changes in the cytokeratin filaments but sex-dependent changes in the amount of keratin material was revealed by image analysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Steinmann
J
J
Institute of Experimental Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Germany.
Kohler
M
M
Aufderheide
M
M
Mohr
U
U
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000236:Adenoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D003078:Colchicine; D004128:Dimethylnitrosamine; D005260:Female; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007633:Keratins; D004128:Dimethylnitrosamine; D003078:Colchicine