Electron microscopic study on the injurious effects of chlorpromazine on rat liver cells

The authors examined the effect of chlorpromazine administration on rat liver cells. The early alterations were limited to the pericanalicular region, but the dilatation of bile canaliculi and the destruction of canalicular microvilli, both characteristic of rats with cholestasis were not observed. It is suggested that beside the Golgi apparatus, the smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, the plasma membranes of liver cells also have an important role in the formation of vesicles and vacuoles in the pericanalicular region. The progressive proliferation of the smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum is thought to be related to an increased overburdening of the biotransformation system of liver cells, which is the result of chronic drug administration. In the last period of the experiment there was a decrease in the quantity of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and increased fatty infiltration, mitochondrial alterations in some liver cells and simultaneously numerous regenerating liver cells were observed. All these alterations are attributed by the authors to the direct liver injuring effect of chlorpromazine.