Abstract
The Gerber method was modified to determine the lipid level, and the relationship between metallothionein and lipid concentrations was studied in the mice liver. After the injection of several compounds including cadmium, the lipid level did not increase but the concentration of metallothionein increased. On the other hand, the starvation or the injection of carbon tetrachloride, colchicine, safrol, or tannic acid increased both the hepatic concentrations of metallothionein and lipid. Fatty liver caused by colchicine, which induced metallothionein, was prevented by cycloheximide. These results indicate that the concentration of metallothionein in the liver increased with increasing the lipid level in the tissue.
