Carbon tetrachloride-induced retention of sulfobromophthalein in the plasma of rainbow trout
Gingerich, W.H.; Weber, L.J.; Larson, R.E.
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 43(1): 147-158
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-008X PMID: 625757 Document Number: 136409
CCl4 was evaluated as a potential hepatotoxic agent in rainbow trout. Plasma half-lives of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) increased in proportion to the dose of CCl4 administered, and histological examination of liver sections indicated that morphological damage, including necrosis of hepatocytes surrounding central veins, also occurred. High plasma Hb concentrations, hemoglobinuria and a significant increase in relative body weight were observed in trout following intoxication. To exclude the possibility that plasma BSP clearance in treated fish was impaired by high plasma Hb concentrations, plasma BSP disappearance studies were conducted in 2 groups of fish following prolonged infusion of either bilirubin (40 .mu.g/kg per min) or Hb (250 .mu.g/kg per min). In these studies plasma BSP disappearance was not affected by high plasma concentrations of either compound, and it was therefore concluded that the retention of BSP in plasma of fish treated with CCl4 could not be explained by attendant intravascular hemolysis. CCl4 appears to serve as a useful model hepatotoxic agent in rainbow trout, and retention of BSP in the plasma may be a useful index by which to evaluate liver dysfunction in this fish.