Hepatic Necrosis in Rats Following Halothane Administration: Protective Effect of Diethyldithiocarbamate

Abstract

Foci of necrosis have been observed in the livers of 50% of enzyme-induced rats treated with halothane. The frequency of liver necrosis was significantly reduced by treatment with the free radical scavenger diethyldithiocarbamate. The severity of the lesion was not increased by repeated exposures to the anaesthetic, and, although the frequency of liver necroses may be greater, the differences were not statistically significant.

Key-words:

• Halothane
• hepatitis, toxic
• thiocarbamates