The ultrastructure of rat jejunal enterocytes after colchicine application
In jejunal enterocytes microtubules (mts) have been supposed to be involved in mechanisms of lipid particle transport. To elucidate the role of mts in this context detailed ultrastructural studies of rat jejunal enterocytes after application of the microtubule-inhibiting substance colchicine have been performed.Material and Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats having been fasted for 24 hours received 0. 5 mg colchicine per 100 g body weight dissolved in 1. 0 ml of 0. 9% NaCl (experimental group) or 1. 0 ml of 0. 9% NaCl (control group) intraperitoneally. Segments of the upper jejunum were excised 11/2, 23, 4 and 6 hours later and prepared for electron- microscopical observation (Fixation:2. 5% sodium phosphate buffered glutaraldehyde, pH 7. 2; Postfixation: 1% veronalacetate buffered OsO4; Embedding in Epon; Staining with alcoholic uranylacetate and alkaline lead citrate).Results: The ultrastructural alterations after colchicine application concern predominantly mts and Golgi apparatus and are apparent already 11/2 hours after colchicine application.