Hepatic injury in rats due to prolonged sub-anaesthetic halothane exposure

Fischer-344 rats of both sexes were exposed to halothane (2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane) at a concentration of 50 p.p.m. for twelve weeks. During the course of the experiment, weight gain of both sexes was depressed and serum alanine aminotransferase activities were elevated, compared to control animals. The temporal pattern of alanine aminotransferase elevation differed between the sexes. After 12 weeks of exposure, liver/body weight ratio was increased in both sexes, and pathological changes were observed in their livers. Livers of all halothane-exposed animals showed focal liver cell necrosis, considerable lobular disarray and occasional mitoses. Many liver cells showed fatty change. None of these changes were observed in any control animals. These results indicate that prolonged exposure to a low concentration of halothane caused mild liver damage with regeneration. This finding may be of significance to humans occupationally exposed to halothane.