Hemodynamic effects of CCl4 in the intact liver of the cat.

Abstract

Blood flow in the intact liver of anesthetized cats did not change significantly over a period of 4 h following intraduodenal injection of CCl4 (1 ml/kg). Hepatocellular disruption was well underway by 2 h after the injection. Twenty-four hours following an oral dose of CCl4, the hepatic arterial resistance to blood flow was reduced and total blood flow to the liver was at least as high as in control animals. At this time, the hepatic artery appeared fully dilated and was less responsive to humoral (intra-arterial infusion of noradrenaline) and neural (reflex activation of the sympathetic nerves) constrictor influences. Thus, alterations in hepatic blood flow do not occur during the early phases of CCl4-induced hepatic injury. These data indicate that diminished blood flow is not a causative factor in the initial phases of CCl4-induced liver injury. By 24 h, hepatic blood flow is altered in such a manner that the damaged liver receives a higher proportion of arterial blood and a total blood flow that is not reduced in spite of a generally depressed cardiovascular system.