Histochemical reactions of liver cells in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

The liver cells of 8 rabbits fed for 12 to 16 weeks with a cholesterol diet showed a decrease of RNA and a stronger reactivity for acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase. The non-specific esterase showed a weaker reactivity in the cells with a larger amount of cholesterol and a stronger reaction in the cells with a smaller quantity of this substance. Several enzymes such as: diaphorases, those of the pentose shunt and respiratory cycle as well as those related to the metabolism of lipids, proteins and mucopolysaccharides showed a unconspicuous reactivity. The glycogen was found in a lesser amont in 6 out of 8 rabbits but with a higher concentration in 2 of them. The reactivity of UDPG-GT, active phosphorylase, F-1,6-PA, F-1,6-P Ald, LDH and ADH was stronger in the last 2 animals but weaker in the 6 others. In this 8 rabbit group the total phosphorylase and G-6-PA showed respectively always a stronger and a weaker reactivity than their controls. In the liver of 2 cholesterol-fed for 20 weeks rabbits it was observed a centrolobular fibrosis, a smaller amount of RNA and glycogen as well as a global decrease of the enzymatic reactivity.