HISTOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGY

Cellular and Molecular Biology


Studies on the breakdown of glycogen in the lysosomes: The effects of hydrocortisone

S.A. Kalamidas and O.B. Kotoulas

Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

Offprint requests to: Dr. Stefanos A. Kalamidas, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45 110, Greece


Summary. The effects of hydrocortisone on newborn rat liver were studied by using biochemical assays, electron microscopy and quantitative morphometry. Hydro-cortisone increased the number of lysosomes in the hepatocytes. Most of the lysosomes represented glycogen-containing autophagic vacuoles. The gluco-corticoid also increased the activity of the liver glycogen-hydrolyzing acid glucosidase and the breakdown of glycogen inside lysosomes. The activity of the liver acid mannose 6-phosphatase was decreased. This may be related to the stimulation of autophagic mechanisms in the newborn rat hepatocytes. Histol. Histopathol. 15, 29-35 (2000)


Key words: Hydrocortisone, Lysosomes, Glycogen, Lysosomal enzymes, Autophagy

DOI: 10.14670/HH-15.29