The effect of quinolinic acid administered during pregnancy on liver cells of rat offspring (ultrastructural investigation).

Liver cells of rat's offspring were ultrastructurally examined after administering quinolinic acid to mothers intraperitoneally in a dose of 60 mmol or 100 mmol, once daily, throughout the entire gestation period. Liver tissue specimens were taken on day 5 after birth from experimental and control animals. Administration of quinolinic acid resulted in a marked proliferation of smooth elements of endoplasmic reticulum in liver cells of their offspring, which indicated microsomal enzymatic induction.

Effect of quinolinic acid administration on rat liver: ultrastructural investigation.

Quinolinic acid was administered intraperitoneally in a dose of 30 or 60 mmol, once every 24 h for 8 days. Its result in the dose of 30 mmol was the proliferation of smooth elements of the endoplasmic reticulum. The use of quinolinic acid in a dose of 60 mmol was characterized by the presence of more profound damage of organelles, among them the distinct decrease of the rough elements of the endoplasmic reticulum and polyribosomal structures was seen, and moreover, wide areas devoid of organelles were observed.

Ultrastructural and histochemical assessment of proximal renal tubule in rats during administration of lithium carbonate.

Rat kidney was studied histochemically and in electron microscope during administration of lithium carbonate for 14 days in doses of 4 mmol/l. Morphological examination demonstrated signs of damage exclusively to the epithelial cells in the proximal tubule. Histochemical examination demonstrated a major reduction of the reactions for succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase.