Effects of carbon dioxide arterial infusion on hepatic biochemistry and histology in a rabbit model

• Published in: Investigative radiology Vol. 30; no. 3; p. 192
• Main Authors: Mladinich, C R, Hawkins, Jr, I F, Heaton-Jones, T G, Shiroma, J T, Weingarten, K, Kiehl, A, Mays, M B, Kublis, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.1995
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Carbon Dioxide - administration & dosage; Carbon Dioxide - pharmacology; Carbon Dioxide - toxicity; Contrast Media - administration & dosage; Contrast Media - pharmacology; Contrast Media - toxicity; Female; Infusions, Intra-Arterial; Liver - drug effects; Liver - metabolism; Liver - pathology; Male; Rabbits; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0020-9996; 1536-0210
• DOI: 10.1097/00004424-199503000-00010

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) infusion on hepatic biochemistry and histology in a rabbit model. The study population consisted of 24 anesthetized rabbits that received hepatic infusion of either CO2 or saline (control) at doses of 10 mL/kg, comparable with those doses used in human clinical trials. Blood for clinical chemistry analysis was collected at baseline, 1 hour, 24 hours, and 168 hours (7 days) postprocedure. The rabbits were killed at 7 days postprocedure and the liver examined histologically for hepatic damage. There were no significant differences between the CO2 and the control groups in dorsal, ventral, and dorsal/ventral scores. Increases in alanine, an important indicator of hepatocellular membrane injury, in the CO2 group were significantly greater at 1 hour and 24 hours posttreatment (P = 0.037 and 0.013). However, the mean levels at 168 hours (7 days) were not significantly different (P = 0.22). The increases at 1 and 24 hours were small, transient, and considered clinically insignificant. No long-term hepatic effects in these animals were suggested by biochemical and histological examinations.