Estimation of the copper-iron correlation in the liver under experimental conditions. A microscopic and microchemical study.

Liver obtained from copper-intoxicated rats was studied by electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. Large ultrastructural disorders in liver cells appeared at the level of lysosomes and mitochondria. Diffuse and aggregate copper granules were observed in the entire cell, but mainly in pericentrolobular and periportal zones. Probe analysis revealed an increased copper deposit, particularly during the chronic copper intoxication, and a very high concentration of iron gradually accumulated.