Elimination of excess smooth endoplasmic reticulum after phenobarbital administration.

Livers from Charles River rats during and after treatment with phenobarbital were studied in order to investigate possible mechanisms involved in the elimination of excess smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The most pronounced structural change during compound administration was proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum; depletion of glycogen and an increase in lipid deposits were also observed. After termination of treatment, these changes were reversed. The appearance of an increased number of autophage vacuoles and lysosomes plus the localization of acid phosphatase reaction product in these bodies suggests autophagy as one possible mechanism for the elimination of excess smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Cytoplasmic blebs and fragments replete with smooth endoplasmic reticulum were observed within the sinusoids. The presence of Kupffer cell cytoplasmic extensions surrounding these fragments and acid phosphatase reaction product within Kupffer cell inclusions suggests heterophagy as another process participating in the removal of excess smooth endoplasmic reticulum.