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.
Selcuk University, Meram Medical Faculty, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Konya, Turkey.
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C
Unsal
J B
JB
Celik
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H
Toy
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H
Esen
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Otelcioglu
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