Biocompatibility studies with perfluorochemical oxygen carriers

The effects of injecting either a novel perfluorodecalin (FDC)-based emulsion or various perfluorochemical (PFC) oils on liver cytochromes P-450 (P-450) and aryl esterase (LAE) enzymes in male rats have been studied. Mean P-450 concentration increased (P less than 0.05) following injection of the novel emulsion or FDC. In contrast, LAE increased in response to injection of FDC (P less than 0.05) and the C-16 oil, perfluoroperhydrofluoranthrene (P less than 0.01), added to stabilize the emulsion. No corresponding changes in either P-450 or LAE occurred in rats injected with either perfluorotripropylamine, perfluorotributylamine or perfluorooctylbromide. The "sleeping time" of animals injected with the pentobarbital-based anaesthetic, Equithesin, following pretreatment with the novel emulsion was lower (P less than 0.05) than in saline-injected controls. The results are discussed in relation to the effects of PFCs on liver metabolic functions.