Liver damage in rats during acute carbon monoxide poisoning

Plasma leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) levels and respiration rates of isolated liver mitochondria were studied in carbon monoxide (CO)-poisoned rats sampled at respiratory arrest. An increase in LAP levels paralleled a decrease in the respiratory control ratio and the ADP/O ratio. The results suggest that the damage to mitochondria closely correlates with the liver damage in rats during acute CO poisoning.