Alterations in the Fine Structure of Liver Cells during Depressed Catalase Synthesis in the Mouse^*

Male Strong A mice were injured by single subcutaneous injections of talcum or received intraperitoneal inoculations of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. A depression in liver catalase activity was noted following talcum injury and tumor growth, and certain fine-structural alterations were observed in the liver parenchymal cells. The changes in the endoplasmic reticulum, other cytoplasmic components, and lipid accumulation in these cells were regarded to be the result of relative inanition as has been reported by others. A striking increase in the microvilli within the spaces of Disse appeared in livers of talcum-treated mice with depressed catalatic activity, but such an alteration was not observed in tumor-bearing mice showing a similar enzymatic change.