Pharmacodynamic Changes of Rocuronium during Induced Liver Cirrhosis Using Carbon Tetrachloride Intoxication in Rabbits

Abstract

Background: A reproducible animal model of liver cirrhosis by carbon tetrachloride (CCl) is highly desirable for metabolic and therapeutic studies. The current study was undertaken to valuate the neuromuscular blockade of rocuronium in CCl induced liver cirrhosis in rabbits. Methods: Cirrhosis was induced by CCl treatment for 11 weeks. Rabbits were randomly assigned to two groups; control group: corn oil 0.5 ml/kg/2 days IM; study group: CCl 0.5 ml/kg/2 days mixed 1 : 1 with corn oil IM. In the first study, the dose-response relations of rocuronium were studied in twenty rabbits. In the second study, time course of rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg in twenty rabbits was evaluated in each groups. Three fragments of each liver lobe at the end of the experimental period were collected and performed the histological examination. Results: Eleven-week CC treatment resulted in liver cirrhosis, and increased AST and ALT compared with controls. In the first study, the calculated ED was 86.7 8.7g/kg and 132.4 9.1g/kg, respectively, in control and study group (P for 11 weeks in rabbits. Rocuronium has a decreased potency, and a prolonged duration of action in CCl induced liver cirrhosis in rabbits.