The inoculation of adriamycin to CRF mice induced a sequence of ultrastructural alterations in hepatic cell nucleoli. The earliest change was the fragmentation of the nucleolonema followed by the segregation of fibrillar, granular and amorphous components. These lesions were dose-dependent and were like those induced by other antibiotics with antitumoral activity. Nevertheless adriamycin action was much more rapid. In relation to what is already well-known on the functional significance of the nucleolus components and on the nucleolar fragmentation and segregation process, it is probable that the lesions induced by adriamycin are the morphologic counterpart of a nucleic acid synthesis inhibition. This conclusion is supported by the previously reported biochemical and pharmacological data.
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