Stereologic Studies on Hypertrophied Liver Cells of Rats
Biphenylyl derivatives have been shown to be effective inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. The administration of biphenylyl methylvaleric acid (BMVA), to rats reduces serum and liver cholesterol levels and at the same time induces liver enlargement. This hepatotrophic effect has been confirmed in recent studies, where it was demonstrated that this hepatomegaly was due to an absolute increase of the hepatic mass without changes in the liver cell population, as reflected by the diminished DNA concentration and unchanged total DNA content of the organ.Since this hepatocytic hypertrophy represents an ideal model for studying the process of drug-induced cell enlargement, the present study was aimed to determine the organelles responsible for the liver enlargement by combined light and electron microscopic stereology measurements. Groups of rats were fed 300 mg of BMVA per kg of body weight, mixed with the food.