Early reversible nuclear alterations induced by sodium butyrate in cultured hepatoma cells

Exposure of HTC cells to sodium butyrate caused various cellular and subcellular changes. A high proportion of the cells became elongated or spherical after 48 h. Already after 1-4 h, nucleoli appeared modified as shown by changes in the distribution of their components. Progressively, most of the cytoplasmic components were altered, suggesting an effect of butyrate on membranes. Most of the butyrate-induced modifications disappeared 1-2 days after transfer of the cells into a normal medium.