STRUCTURAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN TISSUES ISOLATED FROM CANTHARIDIN-POISONED RAT WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS UPON HEPATIC SUBCELLULAR PARTICLES

Male albino rats were poisoned with cantharidin by intraperitoneal injection. Extensive damage to the epithelium of all organs was noted by examination with the light microscope. The morphologic changes were uniform and reproducible. Examination of the hepatic cell with the electron microscope 5, 10, and 15 min post injection revealed early injury to the cell membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, and somewhat later to the mitochondria. The subcellular particles of the livers of poisoned and control rats were isolated. Phospholipid and cholesterol contents were analyzed after separation of the lipid components from these particles. No significant differences were noted. The chemical data do not preclude physical changes in the membrane structures resulting from cantharidin poisoning. © 1969.