Cellular changes associated with triton WR-1339 accumulation in rat hepatocytes. II. Lysosomal triton WR-1339 accumulation.

Following a single intraperitoneal injection, Triton WR-1339 accumulated in rat hepatocyte lysosomes. The accumulation phenomenon followed a two-step process: (1) Sequestration of Triton and subsequent enlargement of lysosomes which occurred through 48 hr post-injection. (2) Fusion of lysosomes to form swollen, electron-lucid lysosomes which occurred from about 48 hr through 8 days post-injection. During the first phase, the dense lysosomal matrix was pushed to the periphery of the lysosome during enlargement. During phase 2 prominent swelling or enlargement of the lysosomes and increasing cellular damage was observed. From injection to 8 days post-injection, the number and size of the lysosomes increased. Hypertrophy of the Golgi apparatus, possibly associated with increased packaging, accompanied the increase in lysosome number. Lysosomal Triton accumulation exhibits morphological characteristics similar in many respects to storage diseases.