[Trichloroethylene metabolism in chronic liver disorders induced by carbon tetrachloride]

Numerous reports have been published in the field of industrial health on biological monitoring of trichloroethylene exposure, but these studies have been confined to healthy humans. Trichloroethylene metabolism in individuals with chronic liver diseases has not been clarified. This experiment was therefore performed on rats that were administrated carbon tetrachloride subcutaneously for three months to induce chronic liver damage. The metabolism of trichloroethylene and its metabolites, chloral hydrate and trichloroethanol, were investigated using the isolated liver perfusion method. Comparing the changes of these substances in the chronically damaged liver with those in the intact liver, the following results were observed in the chronically damaged liver: The conversion of trichloroethylene to trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid decreased. The reduction of chloral hydrate to trichloroethanol increased. The oxidation of chloral hydrate to trichloroacetic acid decreased. The biliary excretion of trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid decreased.