Studies on the subcellular pathophysiology of acute lethal cell injury.

Summary In this paper we have summarized the effects of acute lethal injury on the cell. Such injuries are defined as injuries that result in cell death within a relatively short period of time usually minutes or hours. Following death; the cell undergoes necrosis. Ultrastructural and biochemical methods are needed to study pathophysiology. The cell passes through a series of stages numbered 1 through 7. Stages 1 through 4 are reversible while 5 through 7 are irreversible. Injuries resulting in acute cell death and necrosis include direct damage to the cell membrane, for example by antibody and complement or non-penetrating mercurials or interference with mitochondrial energy supply as in i…