Ultrastructural Changes in the Liver of Intravenous Heroin Addicts

Abstract

The ultrastructural research has a decisive role in gathering the knowledge on the liver's response to the influence of some drugs. The aim of the study was to perform an ultrastructural analysis of the liver in chronic intravenous heroin addicts.The study involved the autopsy conducted on 40 bodies of intravenous heroin addicts and 10 control autopsies. The liver tissue was fixed in glutaraldehyde and moulded with epon for investigation purposes of ultrastructural changes. The analysis was performed using the method of transmission electron microscopy.In the group of intravenous heroin addicts, the liver autopsy samples showed degenerative vesicular and fat changes, chronic active and persistent hepatitis, cirrhosis, reduction in the amount of glycogen in hepatocytes, as well as the Kupffer cell's dominant hypertrophy. Various changes occur in organelles, plasma membrane of hepatocytes and biliary channels as well as in the nucleus. The most important ultrastructural findings include: hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, which is histologically proven vesicular degeneration of hepatocyte occurring as a result of the increased synthesis of enzymes of smooth endoplasmic reticulum due to chronic intravenous heroin intake, and the presence of continuous basal membrane followed by transformation of the sinusoids into capillaries (in the cases of chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis) which leads to a disorder of microcirculation and further progress of cirrhosis.

HCV AND DRUG ABUSERS – morphological changes (Liver biopsy in CHC and heroin abuse)

“…The literature data for the morphological changes and severity of liver damage in HA patients with CHC on liver biopsies are scanty. In contrast, in several studies the light microscopic and ultrastructural changes in liver autopsy samples of intravenous heroin addicts have been reported (18)(19)(20)(21)(22). The authors summarized that heroin abuse induces significant morphologic changes in the liver tissue, including vesicular and fatty changes, reduction in the amount of glycogen in hepatocytes, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and the severity of these changes increases with years of heroin abuse.…”

“…The heroin addicted subjects are the main risk group for infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). In literature various pathological changes in the livers of heroin abusers have been reported (18)(19)(20)(21)(22). They included quantitative and qualitative alterations of cellular organelles, extracellular matrix and hepatic vascular system like vacuole and fatty degeneration, changes in the cellular nucleus, membranes or intracellular content of glycogen, inflammation, fibrosis/cirrhosis, dysplasia, amyloidosis.…”

Could Alcohol Abuse and Dependence on Junk Foods Inducing Obesity and/or Illicit Drug Use Represent Danger to Liver in Young People with Altered Psychological/Relational Spheres or Emotional Problems?

“…Using the method of transmission electron microscopy, the ultrastructural findings in the liver of intravenous heroin addicts were characterised by the hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, the vesicular degeneration of hepatocytes occurring as a result of the increased synthesis of the enzymes of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and the presence of a continuous basal membrane accompanied by the transformation of sinusoids into capillaries, leading to the impaired microcirculation that can ultimately progress in cirrhosis [ 108 ].…”

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“…A study involving autopsies in 40 heroin addicts demonstrated hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, but these were chronic users many with chronic active hepatitis [10]. …”