Ultrastructural localization of Cu, Zn-SOD in hepatocytes of patients with various liver diseases.

The ultrastructural localization of copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD) in the liver of patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and alcoholic fatty liver was studied by means of the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. In hepatocytes Cu, Zn-SOD was found to be localized in perinuclear cisternae, rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), vesicles and Golgi apparatus. The Cu, Zn-SOD was also detected around the lipid droplets in hepatocytes as well as on the cytoplasmic membrane in cases of liver cirrhosis. These findings suggest that Cu, Zn-SOD is produced in the rER in hepatocytes and protects the cells from cellular injury caused by superoxide anion radical in various disorders of the liver.