THE EFFECT OF LARGE DOSES OF THIOUREA ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE LIVER AND URINE OF RATS

Abstract

SUMMARY: Following the observation that large daily doses of thiourea induced numerous mitoses in the liver of rats [Rachmilewitz, Rosin & Doljanski, 1950], the concomitant chemical changes in the liver and urine of thiourea-treated rats were investigated. It was found that: (1) The mitogenetic reaction, which occurred on the 3rd day of treatment with the drug, was preceded by (a) a decrease in liver catalase activity to 30–50% of the normal within 12 hr; (b) an increase in total liver weight and concentration of liver ribonucleic acid within 2 days. The enlarged liver was normal with respect to protein, lipid, water and deoxyribonucleic acid content. (2) The concentration of liver glycogen decreased markedly on the 1st day of thiourea treatment but returned to normal by the 2nd or 3rd day. (3) During the period of treatment with thiourea there was an increase in the urinary excretion of uric acid, allantoin, and phosphate, as well as glucosuria and polyuria. There was no change in the excretion of urea and total sulphate. (4) All these changes, both in the liver and the urine, were fully reversible on withdrawing the drug.