[Ultrastructural changes in rat hepatocytes with diabetes and insulin administration].

Ultrastructural alterations in rat hepatocytes were studied at different periods following injection of alloxan. Visible increase in the size of mitochondria, decrease in development of rough endoplasmic reticulum and proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum elements have been found. These alterations increased with time after alloxan injection and were accompanied by the appearance of lysosome-like bodies and autophagic vacuoles in hepatocytes cytoplasm. Repeated administration of insulin normalized the ultrastructure of hepatocytes of diabetic animals.