Rats were dosed with CCl4 or diethylamine to induce liver injury. The time and magnitude of peak liver injury were assessed by histopathological examination of liver specimens taken at intervals after dosing. Serum enzymes were measured at the same intervals. Serum ornithine carbamyl transferase (SOCT) activity increased at least 6-fold in animals that showed liver damage by histopathology, and fell again as the injuries resolved. Measurements of other enzymes were less sensitive. SOCT measurements appear to be as sensitive a method as histopathology for detecting liver damage caused by administering xenobiotics. Since serum enzyme measurements do not require that the animals be sacrificed, they can be used for repeated examinations of the same animals, thus increasing the likelihood of detecting transient injury.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.