Chlorinated Triphenyl-Induced Extensions of the Hepatic Endoplasmic Reticulum 1

Summary

Ingestion of a highly chlorinated triphenyl by rats induces liver hypertrophy with proliferation of the vesicular smooth endoplasmic reticulum and formation of large concentric membrane arrays within the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes. At 21 days these changes result in increased hepatic function. Associated with the intracellular membrane alterations are increased phospholipid/protein, decreased cholesterol/protein, and altered specific enzyme activities of the microsomes. It is proposed that the phospholipid and cholesterol levels of the new membranes are compatible with an altered structure for localization of the foreign lipid soluble compound.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of Miss Lois Abrahamson.