THE EFFECT OF DIMETHYL-SULFOXIDE ON CCL4-INDUCED DAMAGE THE LIVER AND ITS EFFECTS ON HEPATIC GLUTATHIONE AND GLUCOSE

This investigation was undertaken to determine if an interaction of toxicologic importance might occur during a prolonged exposure of rats to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and Dimethyl Sulphoxide (DMSO). CCl4 administration produced a significant decrease in hepatic microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase activity accompanied by a small increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, Glutathione depletion was highest when CCl4 was administered alone. DMSO, did not increase hepatic uptake of glucose. These findings suggest that DMSO given at low dose can prevent the decrease of hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase but may indirectly affect the level of tissue glucose.