Protective role of zinc pretreatment in hepatotoxicity induced by halothane.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine the protective effects of zinc on halothane induced hepatotoxicity.


METHODS
Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. The halothane group received normal drinking water and diet; the zinc-halothane group received 227 mg L(-1) zinc sulphate in the drinking water and diet for 2 weeks; and the control group received normal diet and water. At the end of 2 weeks, rats were housed in an anaesthesia box and 1 MAC (minimum alveolar concentration)halothane was administered at 6 L min(-1) in room air for 2 h. This was repeated 48 h later. After the rats were sacrificed, we measured alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gammaglutamyl transpeptidase, glutathione-S-transferase, serum electrolytes and bilirubin in samples. The degree of liver toxicity was assessed by light microscopic examination.


RESULTS
We demonstrated a reduction of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate amino transferase, glutathione-S-transferase levels and a reduction in liver damage in the zinc-halothane group.


CONCLUSIONS
The study concludes that zinc has the potential to alleviate the toxic effects of halothane in rat liver.
Unsal
C
C
Selcuk University, Meram Medical Faculty, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Konya, Turkey.
Celik
J B
JB
Toy
H
H
Esen
H
H
Otelcioglu
S
S
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D006221:Halothane / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D015032:Zinc; D006221:Halothane