Intraperitoneal Halothane Administration: Evidence of Hepatic and Muscle Injury

Intraperitoneal administration of halothane, 1.7 to 14 mmoles/kg of body weight in rats, led to significant elevations in plasma levels of a number of enzymes (GOT, GPT, OCT, CPK, SDH, total LDH, and LDH isoenzyme V). This response was sharp and dose related. A similar but quantitatively lesser response was observed in rats treated intraperitoneally with ether. Normal plasma enzyme activity was found after injections of sodium pentobarbital or saline. These data suggest a direct, albeit transient, toxic effect of halothane on the liver and skeletal muscle of the rat.