Concept on the pathogenesis and treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis

Figure 1 Hepatocytic ultrastructure. Digitonin-treated biopsy specimen. The specimen is contrasted with aqueous uranyl acetate and lead citrate. Deposits of cholesterol-digitonin complexes (the view of “tender spoondrift clouds”) are seen in the cytoplasm close to the mitochondria. The mitochondrial membrane forms pseudopodia here and there (indicated by arrow).

Figure 2 Hepatocytic ultrastructure in PBC. Biopsy specimen. The specimen is contras-ted with aqueous uranyl acetate and lead citrate. Arrows indicate myelin-like and multilamellar structures with increased osmiophi-lia.

Figure 3 The scheme of liver biopsy specimen homogenization for quantitative adhesiometric study.

Figure 4 The scheme of mechanisms responsible for triggering and developing the major signs of PBC.

Figure 5 Ursodeoxycholic acid.

Figure 6 S-adenosyl-L-methionine.