Automated measurement of kidney lysosomes by light microscopy. Influence of cyclosporine treatment.
After staining for acid phosphatase, video images were acquired from 1-micron sections of the kidneys of rats treated with cyclosporine. Automated segmentation of the lysosomes was followed by measurements of their area, number and optical density; tubular area was delineated manually. In addition to small lysosomes, representing more than 80% of the total number, all kidneys contained a second population of larger organelles. Cyclosporine treatment with 50 mg/kg/day for one week and with 25 mg/kg/day for three weeks, but not with 25 mg/kg/day for one week, induced a significant increase of lysosomal area, especially in the larger organelles (+200%). In a few animals, this was accompanied by a reduction in the number of lysosomes, suggesting a fusion of the organelles. Other parameters were not consistently modified by treatment. Cyclosporine treatment also elicited the appearance of fat droplets; however, lysosomes were not enlarged in tubular cells containing fat droplets.
Coen
H
H
Department of Human Anatomy, Free University of Brussels Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Belgium.
Roels
F
F
Cornelis
A
A
Claeys
A
A
Verpooten
G A
GA
De Broe
M E
ME
D000818:Animals; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000633:toxicity*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014741:Video Recording
D003524:Cyclosporins