title: [Ultrastructure of hepatocytes in Gilbert's syndrome patients and chronic hepatitis B patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the pathological characteristics of inborn hyperbilirubinemia of patients with Gilbert's syndrome (GS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with GS (n = 7) and patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB; n = 8) were enrolled in the study. GS was diagnosed by peripheral blood analysis results showing glucuronyl transferase gene mutation. The histology and ultrastructure of biopsied liver tissues were evaluated by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The GS group showed normal structure in the hepatic portal area and lobule; however, bile pigment granules with high electron density were noted in the hepatocytes. The CHB group showed abnormal structure of the hepatic lobules, including infiltration of inflammatory cells, necrotic regions, degenerated hepatocytes, bile duct injury, and fibrosis in the portal tracts; a few bile pigment granules were observed. The GS group also showed greater quantity and size of bilirubin deposits than the CHB group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The histological and ultrastructural features of GS include normal hepatic lobule and deposition of bile pigment granules in hepatocytes.
authors.affiliation: The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Affiliated with Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210003, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-yun
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Lan-xia
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005878:Gilbert Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000473:pathology*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult