Experimentally induced lipidosis in rat retinal pigment epithelium

摘要: Chronic administration of certain cationic amphiphilic drugs to rats and other species induces generalized lysosomal storage polar lipids. In rat, retinal pigment epithelium belongs the tissues which are most susceptible toward this adverse drug action. Drug-induced lipidosis in is characterized ultrastructurally by occurrence numerous cytoplasmic inclusion bodies with a crystalline-like internal structure. Freeze-fracture images such inclusions indicate that they consist phospholipids aggregated hexagonal phase. The quantitative structural uniformity epithelial cells appears reflect lipid load physiologically imposed on digestive apparatus due phagocytosis photoreceptor membranes. pathophysiological significance drug-induced remains be clarified.