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In response to chronic oral ethanol administration, the adrenals, thyroid glands, pancreatic islets, and livers of male white rats show histological and chemomorphological reactions. Cytological, karyometrical, and histochemical findings from adrenal medulla indicate increased secretion and synthesis of catecholamines. Adrenal cortex shows morphokinetic changes within the meaning of progressive transformation. About 1 h after the last ethanol administration, there are no signs of inappropriate insulin secretion in the B-cells of pancreatic islets. In addition to a small lipid storage and a marked decrease of glycogen contents, the hepatocytes show karyometrical sign of an increased cell metabolism.

Adult male albino rats received a single dose of dichloromethane (DCM) orally. In response to administrations of DCM, 6.2 or 9.4 mmol/kg body mass, urinary catecholamine excretion increased significantly. 4 h and 48 h following a single DCM dose of 15.6 mmol/kg body mass, morphological investigations revealed cytological changes and a distinct reduction of chromaffin reaction in the adrenal medulla. The norepinephrine contents of cells were decreased strongly 4 h after DCM administration and increased weakly again, but distinct reduced in comparison with the control animals 48 h later. The mean nuclear volumes in the norepinephrine and epinephrine cells were enhanced significantly 4 h as well as 48 h after acute DCM intoxication.