[Reaction of the liver to the effects of hexachlorocyclohexane (experimental study)]

The effects of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHCH) on the weight of the liver, content of protein, glycogen, total lipids as well as morphological and ultrastructural changes in the liver were studied. It was established that HCHCH caused a considerable increase in the weight of the liver, as well as in the levels of protein, glycogen and total lipids, which was particularly pronounced following prolonged administration of HCHCH in the dose 1/50 LD50. Large doses of HCHCH (1/3 LD50) brought about marked dystrophic changes in the liver similar to the type of hydropic degeneration, accumulation of fatty drops in hepatocytes Application of a dose 1/50 LD50 of HCHCH resulted in an increased size of hepatocytes, dystrophic changes being noted only in individual cells. Histochemisally there were revealed high levels of RNA and glycogen in hepatocytes. An-Electron-microscopy study of hepatic cells showed the most manifested changes in the endoplasmatic network of hepatocytes, which were seen in an enlargement of the elements of the smooth endoplasmatic reticulum. A suggestion was put forward that the changes indicated above were associated with a stimulating effect of HCHCH on the microsomic system of hepatocytes, i.e. on the enzymatic systems localized in the smooth endoplasmatic network.