Fat-storing cells in the liver of rats kept on a low-magnesium diet.

While studying the effect of low-magnesium diet on the rat liver considerable proliferation and enlargement of cells, identified as the Ito cells, has been observed. These events were accompanied by the accumulation of lipid substances in the cells. It is the authors' opinion that the lipid accumulation in the Ito cells is due to the deficiency in the lipid metabolising and transporting enzymes. Disturbances in the production of enzymatic proteins may result from the considerable and longlasting magnesium deficiency. The contribution of the fat-storing cells to the collagen biosynthesis is also discussed.