Three distinct patterns of structural abnormalities of mitochondria, indicated as types I, II and
III and associated with steatosis, were identified in the hepatocytes of 40 of 42 asymptomatic
and 8 of 22 symptomatic patients with documented Wilson's disease before treatment. No
correlation was seen between the type of mitochondrial abnormality and the patient's age,
hepatic copper concentration, degree of hepatic steatosis or serum aminotransferase level.
However, comparison of the types of abnormal hepatocellular mitochondria displayed by …