Modification of the effects of chloroform on the rat liver.

Investigations with chloroform anaesthesia in rats pretreated with phenobarbitone indicate that the hepatotoxic action of chloroform is directly related to the activity of the microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes. Pretreatment with disulfiram, an inhibitor of the enzymes in man and rats, completely prevents the hepatotoxicity of chloroform in rats. It would seem that the toxic effects of chloroform on the liver are due to toxic metabolites, the nature of which remains unknown. The enzymes responsible for the production of the toxins appear to be located in the centre of the hepatic acinus.