Electron Microscopic Observations on the Morphological Changes of Rat Mesentric Mast Cells Induced by Morphine HCl

ABSTRACT

The effects of morphine HCI on the rat mesenteric mast cells were studied with the electron microscopy. The materials were prepared for electron microscopy by osmium tetroxide fixation and embedding in Epon. The rat mesenteric mast cells showed no distinct morphological changes due to morphine HCl, but the mast cell granlues were changed in various ways. For instance, they formed dusters, showed granular lysis, and an appearance of electron transparency. Frequently, some granules appeared in the extracellular space and the boundary of the granules was not evident. From the results mentioned above, it was suggested that rat mesenteric mast cell granules were affected by morphine HCl in the shape, the granular matrix, and the granular boundaries.