[Carbon tetrachloride poisoning in a swine model]

It was intended to establish a model for acute hepatic failure in order to test the function of isolated and auxiliary transplanted hepatocytes. 6 pigs (19.75-27.0 kg) were intoxicated with different dosages of CCl4 and ethanol. According to publications on acute hepatic failure induced in rats by CCl4, adequate dosages were applied in pigs. Three different regimens of CCl4 and C2H5OH applications were used: CCl4 was administered intragastrically alone (group 1) or combined with ethanol (group 2), and CCl4 was given intragastrically and ethanol intravenously (group 3). Animals of group 1 and 2 survived intoxication for the period of observation. Histological examination of the livers revealed central necrosis, ghost cells and swollen hepatocytes. The animals of group 3 died shortly after intoxication. Histological examination did not show any evidence for acute hepatic failure. CCl4 and C2H5OH intoxication in pigs causes effects that are different from those described in humans or laboratory rats. Therefore it should be necessary to use a large number of animals to establish a standardized model for acute hepatic failure in pigs that reflects the observations in humans.