Studies on hepatotoxicity induced by chlorinated hydrocarbons. Lipid and ATP metabolisms in the liver of mice exposed to 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane

With a constant gas-exposure chamber newly devised, the author had Cb mice (females weighing 16.0 ± 1.5 g) inhale 600 ppm (in average) of 1, 1, 2, 2-tetrachloroethane for 3 hours. Then, the total Iipid, triglyceride and ATP levels in the liver were estimated before, immediately after, 4 hours and 8 hours after the exposure. The results of the observations are briefly summarized as follows: 1. It has been demonstrated by the chemical quantitative analyses of total lipid and others that the exposure to 1, 1,2, 2-tetrachloroethane induces fatty liver in mice. 2. Both total lipid and triglyceride levels increased almost linearly from the time of exposure up to 8 hours later. The ratio, triglyceride: total lipid, increased with lapse of time after the exposure, and of the lipid components, the increase of triglyceride was marked. 3. The hepatic ATP level decreased almost linearly from the time of exposure to 8 hours later. The value, total lipid × ATP, hardly differed from that of the control even after the exposure, and there was observed a parallel relationship between the rate of increase in total lipid level and the rate of decrease in the hepatic ATP level. 4. The intensity of hepatotoxicity of 1, 1, 2, 2-tetrachloroethane proved to be practically the same at that of carbon tetrachloride.