CHANGES IN HEPATIC NUCLEI INDUCED BY ACETAMIDE AND THIOACETAMIDE

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 100  (8) , 415-418
Abstract
Rat liver nuclei were examined following intoxication with thioacetamide or acetamide. A prompt increase in nuclear size occurred with the administration of either agent. The acetamide-related change was evanescent and, by 16 h, the nuclei did not differ from controls. Thioacetamide produced an acute enlargement during the first 8 h and a second, more prolonged increase during the next 24 h. The enlargement noted by microscopy was also detectable in isolated nuclei by flow spectrometry. Chemical determinations on isolated nuclei appear to sample the same size population seen in situ. An increase in RNA content of thioacetamide-treated nuclei occurred during the late phase. The temporal sequence of physical and chemical change suggests that the initial increase in nuclear volume is not the result of retained macromolecular formation but may involve intracellular water and electrolyte shifts. [Both acetamide and thioacetamide have carcinogenic potential.].