Effect of cycloheximide on pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN)-induced ultrastructural changes in the rat liver

Cycloheximide (10 mg/100 g body weight i.v. twice), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, caused smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) accumulation in the hepatocytes of female rats. Pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN), given p.o., had a similar effect. When cycloheximide was administered to PCN-treated rats, SER proliferation as well as myelin figure formation were noted.