HEPATOTOXICITY OF TRICHLOROETHYLENE CARBON-TETRACHLORIDE MIXTURES IN RATS - A POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCE OF THE POTENTIATION BY TRICHLOROETHYLENE OF CARBON TETRACHLORIDE-INDUCED LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND LIVER-LESIONS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 83  (4) , 761-772
Abstract
Liver histology was normal 24 h after the administration of trichloroethylene (1 ml/kg) in rats. It was normal, or showed necrosis of a few hepatocytes, after the administration of CCl4 (64 .mu.l/kg). In rats receiving both solvents, there was extensive centrilobular necrosis. In vitro, trichloroethylene did not initiate lipid peroxidation but potentiated that initiated by CCl4; a similar potentiating effect was observed for a wide range of trichloroethylene concentrations (0.19-12 mM). In vivo, a wide range of trichloroethylene doses (0.064-1 ml/kg) similarly potentiated the hepatotoxicity of CCl4. Administration of trichloroethylene (1 ml/kg), 5 h earlier, increased CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation in vitro, and increased the hepatotoxicity of a subsequent dose of CCl4 (64 .mu.l/kg). Previous administration of CCl4 failed to modify lipid peroxidation and to increase the hepatotoxicity of trichloroethylene. Trichloroethylene potentiated the hepatotoxicity of CCl4, possibly by increasing CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation.