Limited proteolysis and oxidative modification of proteins in the hepatocytes of patients with resistant forms of tuberculosis

Material and method:

This is a prospective pathomorphological study of 60 patients with confirmed pulmonary TB (clinically and anatomopathologically) deaths from various causes. To evaluate the intensity of free radical processes in hepatocytes, we used a methodology developed by Davydenko IS, 2003. Histological sections were stained with bromphenol blue by Michel-Calvo.

Results:

When comparing the digital data indicated in our study, it is evident that changes in proteins properties in average tendencies run virtually identically in the hepatocytes of different zones of the comparison group. Thus, the difference is unlikely (p > 0.05) when comparing red/blue ratio (specific staining of acid and basic proteins by Michel-Calvo) in the hepatocytes of zones I, II and III of the comparison group. A similar trend is observed in the analysis of average values of the optical density of a specific colouration on the free amino group of proteins by A. Yasuma and T. Ichikava.

The analysis of all parameters showed a linear increase in the intensity of oxidative protein modification and limited proteolysis from zone I to III (from the periportal to the centrolobular parts of the acinus) in all subgroups of the main group according to the acinus zone (by Rappoport).

Conclusions:

Pulmonary TB leads to increased processes of free radical oxidation of proteins with characteristic effects – increased proteolysis and oxidation of amino groups of proteins – in the hepatocytes of the liver.