Effect of Cyproterone Acetate on the Liver Ultrastructure in Rats

Cyproterone acetate given orally to rats causes a marked accumulation of the smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum in hepatocytes. This alteration may represent the fine structural equivalent of induction or stimulation of intrahepatic drug-metabolizing microsomal enzymes. Although this explanation seems to be consistent with previous observations, further investigations are required in order to interpret the morphologic findings in terms of function and to clarify their pathophysiological significance.