Paracetamol hepatic necrosis and its prevention by cholestyramine

The aim of this study was to test the effect of cholestyramine on the hepatotoxic reactions due to paracetamol overdose. Wistar rats receiving a 5% aqueous solution of paracetamol at a dose of 750 mg/kg intraperitoneally showed a extensive necrosis within 24 hrs, whereas the addition of 4% cholestyramine to the diet inhibited the hepatic aggression. The protective mechanisms of cholestyramine against paracetamol overdose were admitted to be identical to those observed in the inhibition of liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4. The authors' hypothesis is that the paracetamol aggression and cholestyramine protection are both bile salts related.