MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES IN THE VESICAL TRANSITION EPITHELIUM OF ALCOHOLICRATS

Few studies are available about the effect of alcohol on the epitheliu m of the urinary bladder. In the present investigation we studied the ultrastructure of the vesical transition epithelium of normal rats and of rats submitted to experimental chronic alcoholism. Adult rats were submitted to experimental chronic alcoholism by the ingestion of suga r cane liquor. The vesical epithelium was examined after 60, 120, 180 and 240 days of alcohol treatment by transmission electron microscopy. Surface cells presented nuclear and cytoplasmic changes and marked ce llular desquamation. There was an increase in multivesicular bodies an d lysosomes suggesting cell degeneration. Mast cell infiltration was o bserved, possibly related to increased epithelial sensitivity. Interce llular spaces were frequently observed. The transition epithelium of t he urinary bladder was found to be sensitive to the action of alcohol, as demonstrated by the changes in the components of the blood-urine b arrier, the greater sensitivity to inflammation, the increase in cell desquamation and the greater recycling of the apical membrane and of t he fusiform vesicles of surface cells observed in alcoholic rats.