Age-Related Peculiarities of Structural Reorganization of the Hepatic Lobules in Rats

The liver of intact rats at 12 and 24 months of age was investigated. Histological (hematoxylin and eosin stain and method of Shabadash) and electron microscopy methods were used. As a result of conducted research there was revealed that the hepatic lobule of 12-month-old rat could be divided into three zones: peripheral (Zone I), intermediate (Zone II) and central (Zone III). Hepatocytes of Zone I had well-developed protein-synthesizing apparatus and, probably, carried out the synthesis of glycogen and protein. Hepatocytes of Zone III acted as a depot for glycogen; glycogenolysis occurred there. Senile changes in the hepatic parenchymal cells were observed including destructive changes in the protein-synthesizing apparatus and mitochondria, the accumulation of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. With age, there was a violation of the microcirculation including age-related dystrophic changes in endoteliocytes, a significant decrease in the number of their pores and fenestrae, pericapillary sclerosis and distention of spaces of Disse. Such changes led to the deterioration of the transendothelial exchange and the development of dystrophic changes in hepatocytes