Influence of kavain on hepatic ultrastructure

Figure 3 Bright field light optical micrographs of control (A and B) and kavain-treated livers (C and D). Note, comparison with the high-magnification TEM data for comparative purposes. A: Control liver tissue at low magnification reveals normal histology: i.e., hepatocytes (small arrow) are organized in long cords following the liver sinusoids or microvascular bed (large arrow). Scale bar, 100 micrometer; B: Higher magnification of control tissue reveals the patent empty sinusoidal lumen (large arrow) and the relationship with the neighbouring hepatocytes (small arrow). Scale bar 40 micrometer; C: In contrast, kavain-treated samples reveal narrowing of the microvessels (large arrow), indicating sinusoidal blood vessel contraction (compare with A). Small arrow, hepatocytes. Scale bar, 100 micrometer; D: Intermediate magnification of kavain-treated samples reveal strong vacuolization of the liver parenchymal tissue (small arrow) and loss of normal sinusoidal vasculature (large arrow). Scale bar, 40 micrometer.