Structural and functional changes of hepatic endoplasmic reticulum in relation to drugs and pregnancy

Abstract The fatty acid content and composition of hepatic microsomes of separated smooth and rough components and of isolated phosphatidylcholine [PC] and phosphatidylethanolamine [PE] fractions were studied in male albino rats treated with potent inducer phenobarbital and hepatotoxin carbon tetrachloride and in female pregnant rats. Both test compounds and pregnancy significantly altered fatty acid composition and phospholipid [PL] content of the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum. The total amount was raised by phenobarbital and reduced by carbon tetrachloride and pregnancy. Both the drug treatments and pregnancy brought about changes which represent topographical factors influencing the function and enzymatic activity of these membranes. Because liver injury produced by therapeutic drugs and environmental toxins is common, it behooves the chiropractor to consider the possibility of drug or toxin induced hepatic injury when confronted with a patient presenting with symptoms of liver disease.