Protective effects of calcium channel blockers in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity

The effects of calcium channel blockers, verapamil, nifedipine and diltiazem, on CCl4-induced liver damage were determined. A single dose of CCl4 (0.5 ml/kg p.o.) led to a five-fold increase in liver calcium content. The toxic effect of CCl4 was also observed in other hepatic processes: the protein synthesis rate in the liver showed an important decrease, liver glycogen content and bile flow was decreased, and lipid peroxidation was approximately doubled. The plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and transaminases (AST and ALT) also increased. When the calcium channel blockers were administered 2 hr prior to and 7 hr after the administration of the toxic agent at doses of 25 mg/kg (diltiazem) and 10 mg/kg (nifedipine and verapamil), the liver showed a significant reestablishment of several of these parameters: a considerable reduction in liver calcium content, a decrease in AST and ALT levels, and a significant increase in protein synthesis rate. There was also a partial inhibition of lipid peroxidation.