The effect of sodium valproate on the subcellular particles of the rat liver

Sodium valproate, 200 mg/kg, i.p., for three weeks produced an increase in the mean sedimentation coefficient of liver mitochondria, while no changes were observed in lysosomes and peroxisomes. As the mean density of the mitochondria, the lysosomes and the peroxisomes of the control and treated animals were not different, it was concluded that the size of the mitochondria had increased in the liver of the treated rats. The mean sedimentation coefficient of the mitochondria returned to normal after the administration of the drug was interrupted for 8 days, indicating a reversible phenomenon. The mechanical and osmotical fragility of the mitochondria and the peroxisomes were not affected by sodium valproate. The osmotic stability of the lysosomes was increased in the in vivo experimental conditions.