What are the differences between reversible and irreversible cell injury?
Posted January 26, 2023
Basis of differentiation |
Reversible cell injury |
Irreversible cell injury |
Definition |
Reversible cell injury is defined as cellular injury that can regain homeostasis and return to a morphologically and functional normal state |
Is an injury to a cell that causes morphological changes that are permanent, and typically to the inner mechanisms of the cell |
Duration of injury |
Reversible cell injury an typically be stopped by removing or destroying the stimulus causing damage |
Irreversible cell injury progresses and cannot return to normal state |
Type of injury involved |
Is typically the result of the beginning stages of lack of oxygen (hypoxia) and lack of blood flow to cells |
It involves more agents such as viruses, genetic disadvantages, or immunological stimuli |
Cellular Response |
Reversible cell injury results in cellular swelling, cellular blebbing, fat accumulation |
Results in acidosis of the cellular environment, destruction of vital organelles and damage to membranes |
Tissue response |
Reversible cell injury causes noticeable swelling and increase in surface area at tissues |
Irreversible cell injury causes necrosis and cell death |
Recovery |
Reversible cell injury is pharmacologically treatable and recovery is possible |
Irreversible cell injury causes permanent cell loss and death |
Mitochondrial changes |
Causes swelling and accumulation of phospholipid rich densities |
Causes swelling and leakage of cytochrome C into the cell cytoplasm |
Nucleus/chromatin response |
Causes the formation of fibular elements in the nucleus |
Causes the dissolution of chromatin |
PhosphoWorks™ Colorimetric ATP Assay Kit
Cell Meter™ Intracellular NADH/NADPH Flow Cytometric Analysis Kit *Red Fluorescence*