Epinephrine release and liver glycogen levels after carbon tetrachloride administration.

Abstract

Two hours after the intraduodenal administration of carbon tetrachloride to rats, a decrease in the adrenal epinephrine level was detected, with a concomitant increase in serum epinephrine level. A simultaneous rise in liver phosphorylase activity and blood glucose concentration was seen. Two hours later these values all had returned to normal. Depletion of liver glycogen and increase in serum transaminase were noted 7 hr after CCl4 administration. Ergotamine could diminish the depletion of glycogen but had no effect on transaminase activity. Phenoxybenzamine did not inhibit liver glycogen depletion, but significantly decreased the transminase activity. Both antiadrenergic drugs were injected 1 hr after CCl4 administration. These results indicate that release of epinephrine due to the administration of CCl4 occurs much earlier than the 20-hr period previously reported. Decrease in the resultant depletion of glycogen had no effect on the increase in liver damage.