[Hepatinecrosis caused by furosemide. Special lesions of various species?]

Furosemide is a wellknown hepatotoxic agent in rodents. Toxicity is result of the production of a catabolite by action of microsomal enzymes. The goal of this study was to demonstrate differences in toxicity between two rodents species: rat and hamster. Animals received 400 mg/k/i.p. of furosemide, with or without pretreatment with phenobarbital as enzymatic inducer. Adequates controls were used. Microscopic findings were different in both groups. Rats treated with furosemide plus phenobarbital, exhibited extensive mediozonal necrosis; when those without pretreatment, showed less extensive necrosis of liver cells, erratic in distribution. In contrast, it was a lack of necrosis in hamsters' livers, showing only unremarkable changes.