Liver Cells of Cordotomized Rats after Single Doses of Carbon Tetrachloride

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.