LIVER-CELL CYTOPLASMIC INCLUSIONS IN EXPERIMENTAL PORPHYRIAS - THEIR DEMONSTRATION WITH THE FERRIC FERRICYANIDE REDUCTION REACTION

In the present paper we describe needle-shaped and granular cytoplasmi c inclusions in the liver cells of mice and rats with experimental por phyria biochemically resembling human porphyria cutanea tarda. The inc lusions were inconspicuous in routine histological slides. The ferric ferricyanide reduction reaction, however, enabled us to demonstrate th eir shape and location within the hepatic lobule. Needle-shaped inclus ions are considered to represent a structure specifically seen in expe rimental porphyrias resembling porphyria cutanea tarda. These structur es are similar to the inclusions seen in human porphyria cutanea tarda .