STUDIES ON THE FUNCTION OF CELL MEMBRANE 2ndREPORT: ELEVATION OF NADH-CYTOCHROME c REDUCTASE ACTIVITE IN THE LIVER CELL MEMBRANE OF RATS FOLLOWING CCl4 ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

Distinct fractional zones of cell membranes in sucrose gradients were obtainable from homogenates of rat liver up to 6 hr (females) and 12 hr (males) following an i.p. injection of CCl4 (0.2 ml/kg body wt.). CCl4 administration to rats caused a marked elevation of NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity in the liver cell membrane. There was a remarkable difference between sexes with respect to time-course of the changes of the enzyme activity, viz., a peak was reached 6 hr after administration in female rats and 12 hr in male rats with normal activity at 6 hr. Neither mitochondrial fractions nor microsomal fractions of rat liver displayed any significant alterations in NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity 6 hr after CCl4 administration.