Cellular analysis of liver carcinogenesis: the induction of large hyperplastic nodules in the liver with 2-fluorenylacetamide or ethionine and some aspects of their morphology and glycogen metabolism.

Abstract

Summary A dietary regimen is described whereby large hyperplastic nodules can be obtained in over half the rats fed either of the two hepatocarcinogens, ethionine or 2-fluorenylacetamide. The nodules are composed predominantly of hepatocytes which show morphologic and biochemical differences from the surrounding nonhyperplastic liver. The glycogen or its metabolic control are different in the nodule in that a significant amount of glycogen is present even after a 48-hour period of fasting and little breakdown is induced by glucagon administration. The nodules show a consistent and progressive decrease in glucose-6-phosphatase activity as well as in glycogen phosphorylase activity. Evidence implicating the hyperplastic nodule as a step in the carcinogenic process is presented and discussed.