Resumen

MORENO E, Luis, HERRERA C, Andrés, OYOLA DE BARDALES, Luz et al. Metabolismo de Hidrato de Cloral en ratas con insuficiencia hepática inducida por tetracloruro de carbono. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica, oct./dic. 2003, vol.20, no.4, p.186-192. ISSN 1726-4634.

Objective: To determine the metabolism of chloral hydrate in normal rats and in rats with carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic impairment. Material and methods: Holtzman male rats were used; the process for hepatic impairment induction was performed for three consecutive days, and this condition was confirmed through histological examination of liver samples. After the aforementioned procedure, chloral hydrate was administered orally to both groups. Then, plasma trichloroethanol - an active metabolite of chloral hydrate - was determined using gas chromatography with a flame ionisation detector, and this method was validated. Results: There was a significant difference on plasma levels of trichloroethanol in rats with and without hepatic impairment. Latency period, duration and intensity of chloral hydrate effects were recorded in both groups studied. Conclusions: Chloral hydrate metabolism is altered in rats with hepatic impairment; and the level of hepatic impairment may be quantified through thichloroetanol determination, a procedure performed optimizing an available method.

Palabras llave: Chloral hydrate/metabolism; Liver Failure; Gas Chromatography; Rats.