Fatty change of the granular pneumocyte.
Fat vacuoles develop in the granular pneumocytes of guinea pigs exposed to severe hypoxia in low-pressure chambers. The ostiniophilic lamellar bodies are apparently reduced in size and decreased in number. The fatty change of the granular pneumocyte may represent a metabolic alteration and interfere with the production of surfactant. This hypoxic lesion of the pneumocyte may be a significant factor in high-altitude pulmonary insufficiency.
D000818:Animals; D003593:Cytoplasm; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000473:pathology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D010743:Phospholipids; D013501:Surface-Active Agents