Liver Cells of Cordotomized Rats after Single Doses of Carbon Tetrachloride

ABSTRACT

In attempting to ellucidate the mechanism of action of CCl4 toxicity on the liver, the histobgical and histochemical studies were carried out, at the cellular or ultrastructural level, rats were given a single oral dose of 1.25 ml/kg of CCl4 one hour after cervical spinal cordotomy. Hepatic lesions induced by CCl4 administration such as the fatty change of hepatic cells and the sinusoidal congestion were abolished by cordotomy. The decreased activities of adenosine triphosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in the hepatic cells and bile canaliculi of the poisoned animals were restored to a large extent by the operation. Cordotomy also prevented some liver cell changes as seen by the electron microscope in the CCl4-intoxicated rats. It is evident that the hepatotoxic effects of carbon tetrachloride can be inhibited or prevented by cervical cordotomy.