Effects of galactoflavin-induced riboflavin deficiency upon rat hepatic cell ultrastructure.

The primary cytoplasmic effect of galactoflavin-induced riboflavin deficiency upon rat liver cells involved focal sites of degradation which were manifested by the formation of membranous whorls. The nuclear effect of riboflavin deficiency concerned fluctuations in the total number of perichromatin granules per nucleus. These granules increased in number during the deficiency reaching a peak at three weeks. Nucleoli appeared compact with no evidence for segregation of nucleolar components. The possible correlation between increased synthesis of perichromatin granules and altered protein synthesis is discussed.