Subchronic liver injuries caused by microcystins

The subchronic effects of cyanobacterial lyophilizate (CL) containing micro cystins on liver were investigated in female New Zealand rabbits. Sterilise d CL containing microcystins was injected i.p. Liver toxicity was assessed by histological examination of liver samples. Noninvasive magnetic resonanc e imaging (MRI) of liver was also performed in order to assess changes in t he homogeneity of liver tissue. Subchronical intoxication with microcystins caused morphological changes of liver tissue that were also detected by us e of MRI. Histological analysis showed that changes seen an MRT represent l iver injury characterised with fatty infiltration and periportal fibrosis. This demonstrates that subchronic exposure to microcystins can lead to live r degeneration, which can easily be detected in vivo by use of MRI.