Liver injury in isolated perfused rat liver preparation exposed to chloroform

¹ U. S. Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory, San Francisco, California

Exposure of the isolated rat liver preparation to CHCl₃ at concentrations of 0.016–0.056 mg/l. O₂/CO₂ results in decreased bile flow, increased glucose concentrations in the perfusate, increased tissue sodium space and early histological changes similar to those seen in vivo. These changes are associated with slight vasodilatation and increased rates of blood flow through the liver. Withdrawal of CHCl₃ does not result in reversal of any of the above changes except for the vasodilatation over a period of 3 hours after termination of the chloroform exposure. The effect of differences in CHCl₃ dosage is presented. The data are interpreted as a) confirming the view that a biochemical lesion rather than circulatory events initiates the chloroform injury to the liver and b) underscoring the vulnerability of the tissue during the protracted period of recovery from the damage inflicted by this agent.