The Effect of Prostacyclin on the Liver

Adult female Wistar rats were treated with Prostacyclin, 3 × 100.tg/kg daily, i. p., for different period of time. The 1st group of the animals was killed on the 3rd day, the 2nd group on the 9th day, while the 3rd group on the 80th day of the treatment. The control animals received no treatment. The liver samples were investigated electronmicroscopically as well as biochemically. The fine structure showed: 1st group: a complete disappearance of glycogen granules from the cytoplasm, without degenerative lesions of other organelles. The rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) showed a moderate distension. 2nd group: almost a normal structure, the glycogen granules returned, the RER seemed to be remain in the previous state. 3rd group: The 80 day treatment had neither further, nor toxic effect on the fine structure of the hepatocytes.