[Prevention by metyrapone of halothane induced liver necrosis in rats (author's transl)]

Liver necrosis and an increase of serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activity can be produced in rats by halothane anesthesia (1% v/v in oxygen) following pretreatment with polychlorinated biphenyls. Using this model, it was shown that administration of metyrapone (2-methyl-1,2-bis(3-pyridyl)-1-propanone) (100 mg/kg b.w.) 1 h prior to anesthesia prevents liver necrosis and the concomitant increase in serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activity. No significant differences were observed when halothane was applied in air instead of oxygen, but the protective effect of metyrapone was abolished.