Occurrence of Hemorrhagic Centrolobular Liver Necrosis in Protein Deficient Rats. ∗

Abstract

Summary

On a synthetic protein-free diet containing all other essential nutrients with or without a 2% casein supplement, the livers of young male Wistar strain rats show centro-lobular necrosis, often associated with hemorrhages in about 50% of animals. Incidence of these lesions decreases when casein content of diet is increased. Addition of 1% methionine is of no influence, while 0.5% cystine often aggravates the severity and incidence of centrolobular necrosis. The findings are discussed with reference to hemorrhagic centrolobular necrosis which occurs frequently after administration of ethionine, a supposed methionine antagonist.