Yonsei Med J.  1972 Dec;13(1):1-17. 10.3349/ymj.1972.13.1.1.

Fine Structural Changes and Autoradiographic Studies of Rat Liver Cells Induced by Aflatoxin B1 and G1

• Kim CS
• Kim DS
• Lee YB

• KMID: 687661
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.1972.13.1.1

Abstract

Ultrastructural changes were induced in rat liver by the single administration of aflatoxin B1 and G1. These were assessed at intervals of 1, 6, 18, 24 and 48 hours and 1, 4 and 8 weeks. It would appear that administration of aflatoxin B1 induced a marked nucleolar alteration seen from 6 hours after the injection. No significant alterations were noted in animals treated with a small amount of aflatoxin G1, but injection of a larger amount of aflatoxin G1 induced nucleolar alterations similar to aflatoxin Bl treatment. The nucleolar change was characterized by segregation of the granular and fibrillar elements. All three groups showed cytoplasmic changes, such as dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum with detachment of ribosomes, hyperplasia of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, increased numbers of lipid droplets and microbodies. Autoradiographic studies have shown the absorbtion of both aflatoxin B1 and G1 in parenchymal cells, but aflatoxin Bl was absorbed more intensely than Gl, especially in the nucleus. Autoradiographic findings in electron microscopy showed a marked difference in the size grains between aflatoxin B1 and G1, aflatoxin G1 being 1arger than aflatoxin B1.

MeSH Terms

Aflatoxins/toxicity*
Animal
Autoradiography
Comparative Study
Liver/drug effects
Liver/pathology*
Male
Microscopy, Electron
Rats