Hepatotoxic effects elicited by n-hexane or n-heptane

Abstract

Hepatotoxic effects of n-hexane and n-heptane administered i.p. (1 ml/kg body wt) were studied in albino rats after 1, 2, 7 and 45 days of treatment. Hepatic protein content decreased with n-heptane and total sulphydryl content showed a significant decrease in the rats exposed to either solvent. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation was observed after 24 h and 48 h exposure to n-hexane or n-heptane. A marked decrease in drug metabolizing activity and an increase in pentabarbitone sleeping time was also observed. Hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase, a microsomal marker enzyme, showed a significant decrease.