[Changes caused by thioacetamide in GOT and GPT aminotransferases and glutamate dehydrogenase in rat liver. Ultrastructural study].

Measurements have been made of the hepatic soluble and mitochondrial GOT and GPT and mitochondrial NAD+ glutamate dehydrogenase activities in thioacetamide-treated rats for 30 days. There is a significant fall in the GOT and GPT soluble activities from the effect of chronic thioacetamide administration while the mitochondrial activities become markedly increased in both cases. Glutamate dehydrogenase also increased from the effect of this hepatotoxic substance. Protein determined in the soluble and mitochondrial fractions, showed decreased levels in the cytosolic extracts and increased levels in the mitochondrial ones. Morphological aspects of liver cells showed hypertrophic mitochondria located around the likewise hypertrophic nucleus. The existence of functionally very active mitochondria in the generating liver, induced by thioacetamide, as well as metabolic mechanisms for the regulating control under pathological circumstances, can be a consequence of the increased ammonia concentration.