Acute toxic effects of paraquat on ultrastructure of rat liver

Paraquat was administrated to pathogen-free male rats orally, and the livers were studied by light and electron microscope at intervals of 6 hours to 5 days. Congestion and hepatocellular injury (degeneration and/or fatty metamorphosis) were seen by light microscope. Electron microscope showed that degranulation of RER, proliferation of SER, decreasing of glycogen particles and mitochondrial swelling occurred in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes within 2 layers around the central vein at 6 hours. After 12 hours the liver cells throughout the centrolobular area were injured. Degranulation of RER, proliferation of SER, and decreasing of glycogen particles became prominent, and mitochondria showed swelling and transformation. In the midzonal and periportal areas, numerous lipid droplets were seen in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes. From the result of ultrastructural findings, it is considered that detoxication and biotransformation of paraquat occur in the hepatocytes within 2 layers around the central vein at an early stage, and spread to the hepatocytes throughout centrolobular area later.