Alterations in the morphology of rat liver cells influenced by insulin

The electron microscopic observations of liver cells from normal, fasted, diabetic, and insulin‐treated diabetic rats were compared. The most striking electron microscopic features were the sparsity of glycogen particles in fasted and diabetic rat liver cells and the diminution in lamellar formations of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the diabetic animals. Forty‐one hours of insulin treatment of diabetic rats restored the appearance of liver cell structure to normal. These variations in liver cell fine structure were correlated with circulating insulin levels and previously reported enzyme activities.