Effect of 'Streptococcus Pneumoniae' Infection in Rats on Hepatic Water Content, Electrolyte Concentration, and Chemical Composition
Abstract
Total hepatic water content, dry weight, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, RNA, DNA, and electrolyte concentrations were determined in control and Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected rats. During infection, there was a significant (P = 0.001) increase in total liver weight. This increase was the result of increased total liver water content, diameter of hepatocytes, and all measured constituents of hepatic dry weight, excluding DNA, increased significantly (P varied from 0.05-0.001) during infection. Concentrations of liver Na(+) and Cl(-) increased significantly (P varied from 0.05-0.005), whereas the concentration of liver K(+) decreased significantly (P = 0.01). Seemingly, there is an enlargement of hepatocytes due to increased intracellular water and increased dry weight during pneumococcal infection in the rat. The mechanism of these liver changes may be due, in part, to a shift of Na(+) and K(+) across liver cell plasma membranes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA110170
Entities
People
- C. T. Liu
- H. P. Hawley
- James S. Little
- W. L. Rill
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases