Effect of halothane on the cirrhotic liver in rats

ABSTRACT

This study is a trial to find out any possible hepatotoxic potential of halothane in established cirrhotic liver n rats. The study was done on 30 rats. Group I included 20 rats, which were given carbon tetrachloride [CCI4] orally for 3 weeks, to induce liver cirrhosis. Only 12 animals were survived. Group II included 10 rats, which were not given CCI. Ten rats from group I and the ten rats of group II had inhaled halothane 1.8% in oxygen for 3 hours. A battery of liver function tests including SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, serum protein and prothrombin activity were done before exposure to CCI4 in both groups, after exposure in group I, and after exposure to halothane in both groups. This study showed that halothane did not deteriorate liver dysfunction already present in cirrhotic rats. It seems that cirrhotic state confers some measure of resistance to halothane induced hepatic dysfunction