Structural changes induced by heparin in Zajdela ascites hepatoma cells.

By method of light and electron microscopy the influence of heparin (0.1%) sodium heparinate) on Zajdela ascites hepatoma cells was studied. To provide penetration of heparin into cells, the latter were treated with low-concentration detergent--Triton X-100. Heparin causes increase of cells observable by phase-contrast method, and homogenization of the karyoplasm. When examining stained preparations light-optically, chromatin is distributed evenly and structurelessly over the whole cell. Streaks of DNA-containing material protrude into the cytoplasm. Electronograms show lowering of electron density of cells, transformation of chromatin fibrils into a thin-fibrillar network, vanishing of nucleoli, and appearance of structureless globules about the size of 100 nm. The observed changes are discussed in the light of data on the anti-cancer action of heparin.