Effect of carbon tetrachloride poisoning on potassium, sodium and water content of liver mitochondria

Microsomal enzymes inducers and serum minerals in carbon-tetrachloride hepatotoxicity

The effect of ten repeated doses of carbon tetrachloride, phenobarbitone and propionyl promazine when administered alone or simultaneously with CCl4 on serum minerals was investigated. Carbon tetrachloride resulted in a significant increase in serum iron, copper, zinc, calcium, potassium and sodium. A portion of this rise was due to increased permeability in damaged mitochondrial membrane as a result of the action of CCl4. Propionyl promazine when administered alone or together with CCl4 has no effect on serum minerals. Phenobarbitone when administered alone increased serum minerals except sodium, but to a lesser degree than CCl4, while phenobarbitone when given repeatedly together with small doses of CCl4 led to a normalization of serum iron, calcium and potassium. Also serum zinc and copper were lower than in case of CCl4. This may be due to some protective effect of phenobarbitone on liver mitochondria. Serum magnesium was not affected in all the experimental groups.

Effect of AMP on serum minerals in carbon-tetrachloride hepatotoxicity

Carbon tetrachloride twenty-four hours after its administration resulted in a significant increase in serum iron, copper, zinc, calcium, potassium and sodium, while for magnesium no significant change was observed. A portion of this rise was due to the known hepatotoxic effect of CCl4 on the liver. Pretreatment with adenosine-5-monophosphate led to a normalization of the level of serum iron, copper and zinc, while in case of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium there was no significant change from that found in CCl4. The normalization of serum copper and iron under the influence of AMP may be due to some protective action of AMP on the liver. However, the disturbance in minerals metabolism may be considered as one of the earliest lesions in CCl4 poisoning.