Carbon tetrachloride induced ultrastructural alterations in pancreatic acinar cells and in the hepatocytes. Similarities and differences.
We found that 14C from 14CCl4 gets covalently bound to rat pancreas and liver microsomal lipids. The intensity of this process in 320 times smaller in the former than in the latter organ. We did not detect any cytochrome P-450 (P-450) or ethylmorphine N-demethylase activity in pancreatic microsomes in contrast to the high content of those components occurring in liver. Similarly, CCl4 induced lipid peroxidation is observed in liver preparations but not in pancreas. There was no evidence for any histological alterations in pancreas 24 h after administration of a toxic dose causing marked cnetrolobular necrosis in liver. CCl4  causes profound ultrastructural alterations in the hepatocytes involving early the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi complex and the nuclear envelope and later the entire cell. In selected clones of pancreatic acinar cells we observed an intense dilatation in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and polysome detachment from their membranes, the appearance of myelin figures and occasionally of large autophagic vacuoles. No alterations in other organelles were detected but a slight increase in the number of lipid droplets was observed. CH2Cl2 did not behave similarly.
D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000473:pathology*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000473:pathology*; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008861:Microsomes / Q000378:metabolism; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D010179:Pancreas / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D000681:Amylases