Biochemical changes after hepatic injury from toxic doses of acetaminophen or furosemide

The effects of hepatotoxic doses of acetaminophen and furosemide on the function and composition of hepatic endoplasmic reticulum were compared from 3 to 24 h after administration. Acetaminophen caused a significant decrease in microsomal protein concentration as early as 3 h after its administration, but furosemide did not affect the microsomal protein concentration until 24 h after the dose. Both acetaminophen and furosemide decreased the concentrations of cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b5 in microsomes, and the activity of microsomal ethylmorphine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase. Glucose-6-phosphatase and UDP-glucuronyl transferase were not significantly affected by acetaminophen or furosemide administration, and neither diene conjugation nor hepatic triglycerides were increased. Incorporation of 3H-L-leucine into liver proteins was decreased by 50% after the administration of either acetaminophen or furosemide.