Blood Electrolyte Studies in Experimental Acute Liver Injury Produced by Arsphenamine in Dogs. ∗

Abstract

In the present investigation we have attempted to determine changes in the blood electrolytes following the production of hepatic parenchymal damage with arsphenamine. The studies included determinations of the blood non-protein-nitrogen, urea, sugar, CO₂ content, sodium, chloride, potassium calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, total proteins, and lactic acid, as well as complete hematologic studies.

Liver damage was produced in 6 dogs by injection of arsphenamine intravenously. Animals were kept on a diet of raw meat to which was added 2 gm. of salt daily for 2 weeks before the experiment was started. Arterial Wood for determination of various electrolytes was collected anaerobically before injection of arsphenamine. Forty to 80 mg. per kilo of body weight of freshly prepared arsphenamine was then injected intravenously. About 30 minutes later this was followed by vomiting which lasted for a few minutes before subsiding entirely. In 2 animals, a single injection of the drug was adequate to produce icterus. Four of the 6 animals required subsequent injections of arsphenamine to produce jaundice. Death followed in all animals about 20 to 24 hours after the last injection of the drug. Arterial blood samples for electrolytes were again collected when the animal appeared definitely icteric. Six to 8 hours after appearance of jaundice the dogs became comatose and died. At no time were there convulsive seizures.

Upon death a necropsy was performed and sections of liver, kidneys, and intestines were removed for microscopic study. In 2 instances considerable congestion of the small intestine and rectum was found. The kidneys appeared grossly normal in all instances. The livers felt firm, but had a distinctly mottled appearance. The lobules were well outlined and were surrounded by punctate hemorrhages.