Effects of ethanol and carbon tetrachloride upon vitamin A status of rats

The effects of ethanol (ET) and carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) upon tissue vitamin A, liver lipids, liver cytochrome P450 and hepatic morphology were investigated. After a two week feeding period, young male rats were divided into four groups. For 5 weeks one group of rats (n=18) received ET in liquid diets (30% of calories) while another (n=8) was exposed to CCL4 inhalation twice a week along with phenobarbitol in the diet. All groups received the NRC recommended level for vitamin A. Comparison of ET and its pair-fed control group revealed; decreased hepatic vitamin A, no change in serum vitamin A, increased % liver lipid and cytochrome P450 with minimal fat accumulation in hepatocytes. Comparison of CCL4 group with pair-fed controls showed; increased serum vitamin A, decreased hepatic vitamin A, increased cytochrome P450, marked hepatic fat accumulation, hepatic cell necrosis and early cirrhosis. Thus, CCL4, which is a more potent hepatotoxin as evidenced by a more elevated cytochrome P450 and distorted liver morphology, not only reduced liver vitamin A, but also increased serum vitamin A. The hepatic response to CCL4 may mimic a more cirrhotic condition such as that resulting from longer-termed ET intake