Ultrastructural aspects of human gallbladder epithelial cells in cholelithiasis: Production of anionic mucus

Abstract

The surface epithelium of 28 gallbladders removed during elective cholecystectomies and pathology collection was studied ultrastructurally. Focusing on 10 of the 28 cases that were diagnosed as cholecystitis, we found that the epithelium displayed numerous apical mucous granules and bulging apical apices. Mucous granule changes included 1) hyperproduction of secretory granules of neutral type containing an electron-dense proteinaceous spherule, similar to that described in other mucus-producing glands of the digestive system, and 2) production of anionic, osmiophilic secretory mucus. Other alterations of the surface epithelial cells included the production of bizarre surface appendages resembling primitive cilia without axoneme and epithelial excrescences.

Intracellular Liposomes and Cholesterol Deposits in Chronic Cholecystitis and Biliary Sludge

“…However, a small number of specimens deemed to be of more complex pathology displaying cholesterolosis and carcinomas allowed us to describe specific subcellular changes in the mucous vesicles of the human gallbladder [4,5] and supplemented other reports also based on human samples [6^8]. During cholelithiasis, inflammatory changes were observed with acute cholecystitis, but many of them, diagnosed as short-term to chronic cholecystitis, mainly appear with epithelial changes in the form of qualitative mucus changes [3,9]. These observations concur with earlier observations [10^15].…”

Histological Changes in Human Gallbladder in Pathological Condition Including Cholecystitis and Cholelithiasis an Analytical Study

“…Their findings suggest that chronic inflammatory changes can occur in the gall bladder mucosa prior to appearance of macroscopic stones. [27] -Lee KT, Sheen PC, Y: E, Erlia Y et al in 1998 studied mucin content in gall bladder with brown pigment stones or combination stones. Gall bladder mucin itself has been recognised to play the important role in gall stones development.…”

“…[26] How ever in black pigment stones which are devoid of cholesterol, the interaction of mucin, calcium and bilirubin is the sole mechanism for cholelithiasis. [27,29,30] In this context the role of acid mucins, especially sulfomucins become more important to the formation of black pigment stones. [27] In present study of the mucin histochemistry of cholelithiasis gall bladder it was found that sulfomucins were predominant in supranuclear region (Brownish blue by PAS-AB).…”

“…[27,29,30] In this context the role of acid mucins, especially sulfomucins become more important to the formation of black pigment stones. [27] In present study of the mucin histochemistry of cholelithiasis gall bladder it was found that sulfomucins were predominant in supranuclear region (Brownish blue by PAS-AB). In deeper partssailomucins were found (Intense blue by PAS-AB) and neutralmucin"s were seen sparsely.…”

Chronic Cholecystitis

“…In previous studies the ultrastructure of the normal mucosa, ultrastructural observations regarding mucoid material and lipids have been outlined [2,3,4,5,6]. It was early evident that alterations in the cholecystocytes were only identified with ultrastructural examinations.…”