Effect of Clofibrate on Cell Population in Rat Hepatocytes

Abstract

In order to examine the effect of clofibrate on cell population in hepatocytes, clofibrate at dose levels of 30, 100, or 300 mg/kg were given orally to male rats for 7 consecutive days. Hepatomegaly was observed at dose levels of 100 mg/kg and above, which resulted from hepatocytic proliferation and enzyme induction. Although there was no change in the level of apoptosis, the levels of cell proliferation at different dosages were reduced to less than that of the control levels, following the withdrawal of treatment. The mechanism and the biological significance of mitoinhibition, following the withdrawal were not elucidated in our study. Consequently, it might be the similar mechanism of mitoinhibition in chronic treatment of clofibrate.