Parenchymatous protein degradations Flashcards
4 types of parenchymatous dystrophies
Granular
Hyalin-drop
Vacuolar
Keratin
Most frequent and least severe parenchymatous protein degeneration
Granular
Only parenchymatous protein degeneration that is reversible
Granular
What causes granular protein degeneration?
intoxications, some infections, disturbance in blood and lymph circulations
Common organs in granular protein degeneration
parenchymatous organs: kidney, liver, cardiac muscle
What can you see in the cells in case of granular degeneration?
Granules in cytosol –> cloudy cytoplasm, nucleus becomes less visible
Cells expand
What can you see in the organ in case of granular degeneration?
Organ swells and becomes enlarged, brittle, lighter, and irregularly coloured
Organ’s function is reduced/changes
What causes hyalin-drop degeneration?
intoxications and some infectious diseases
Which organs are affected by hyalin-drop degeneration?
Mostly affects kidneys, sometimes liver but more rarely
How does hyalin-drop affect the cells?
You can see hyaline protein drops in the cytoplasm. The drops will fill the cytoplasm entirely which destroys the cells ultrastructure.
How do hyalin drops look like?
They are semi-transparent and homogenous drops of various sizes but mostly on the larger side.
What can you see in the organ is case of hyalin drop degeneration?
Nothing. Microscopy is required to diagnose. Causes deficiencies in functioning of the organ.
Is hyalin-drop degeneration irreversible?
Yes it is and thus will develop into necrosis
What causes hydropic/vacuolar degeneration?
protein-water-electrolyte imbalance, infectious diseases (like foot and mouth disease), edema, deficiencies (protein, salts, vitamins), chronic intoxications and cachexia (caused e.g. by chronic gastroenteritis or colitis)
What can you see in the cell in case of hydropic/vacuolar degeneration?
Vacuoles filled with fluid in the cytoplasm or more rarely in the nucleus
Which tissues can be affected by hydropic/vacuolar degeneration?
Epithelial tissue of skin and mucosa, epithelial cells of renal tubules, liver cells, muscle cells, neurons, cells of adrenal cortex
What can you see in the tissues in case of hydropic/vacuolar degeneration?
Little external changes except swelling, diagnosis only by histological examination
Is hydropic/vacuolar degeneration irreversible?
Usually yes but cell regeneration is possible early on. Most cells will die due to damage to the cytoplasm and nucleus.
What happens in keratinous degeneration?
Either the “normal” keratinising epithelium develops excessive keratin (hyperkeratosis) or keratin appears in locations where is shouldn’t be (like mucosa)
What causes keratinous degeneration?
metabolic diseases and deficiencies (protein zinc, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin A), infectious and parasitic diseases (scabies) that cause skin inflammation, chemical substances and physical factors that irritate skin and mucosa
Describe hyperkeratosis and where it happens
Hypertrophy either on the cornea of the eye or the horny layer of the skin –> skin becomes false elastic, rough, tough, and forms dry calluses
Cutaneus horn is a specific form of hyperkeratosis where horn-like keratotic growths protrude from the skin
