ANESTHESIA AND LIVER DAMAGE I. THE PROTECTIVE ACTION OF OXYGEN AGAINST THE NECROTIZING EFFECT OF CERTAIN ANESTHETICS ON THE LIVER

¹ From the Department of Physiology, The Harrison Department of Surgical Research, and the Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania

1. The necrotizing effect of chloroform and of divinyl ether upon the liver cells of the dog is largely prevented by volatilizing the anesthetic with oxygen. This protective action of oxygen compares favorably with that of a high carbohydrate diet prior to the period of anesthesia. The latter is superior to the former in protecting the liver cells from the toxic action of divinyl ether.

2. Diethyl ether anesthesia in the dog may produce a severe type of liver cell degeneration, aggravated by a condition of oxygen lack and a poor nutritive condition of the animal.

3. Deficient oxygen tension in the inspired air alone may result in liver injury to the dog.

4. The oxygen available to the liver cells may be decreased during chloroform anesthesia and is markedly increased upon administration of oxygen. Improvement in the portal circulation as a result of an adequate oxygen supply may be a factor in this result.

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