Concanavalin A Toxicity: Histological Studies 1

Abstract

Summary

Con A injected iv in doses of 200-600 μg produced vascular endothelial damage, hepatic necrosis, and lymphoid atrophy. Six hours after mice were given 600 μg of Con A iv, subcapsular hemorrhages and other evidence of vascular damage were found in the visceral organs. Ultra-structural studies of livers from these mice revealed damage to the vascular endothelium and to hepatocytes as manifested by the accumulation of lipid droplets, dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum, and the formation of giant degenerating mitochondria. Histochemical studies demonstrated Con A on the cell walls of vascular endothelial cells and in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria of hepatocytes. Con A appeared to destroy the peroxidase activity normally found on the inner membranes and cristae of mitochondria.