Ultrasonography, biochemical and hematological profiles in liver disease caused by intravenous administration of dimethylnitrosamine in dogs.

摘要

The results of liver function tests and ultrasonography were analysed in 7 dogs that were i.v. injected with dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA 2 mg/kg bw) on 2 consecutive days weekly for 10 weeks. Severe anaemia and a significant reduction in the plateletnumbers occurred in the dogs that died in the 5th week (n=2), these parameters decreased slightly in the remaining dogs. Serum total protein and the albumin to globulin ratio decreased gradually. Alkaline phosphatase, alanine amino transferase, aspartateamino transferase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activities increased significantly in all dogs after administration of DMNA. The two dogs that died showed increased diffuse echogenic patterns of the liver, in the 5th week, the remaining dogs in weeks 6-8, corresponding with changes in liver enzymes. It is concluded that ultrasonography in conjunction with liver function tests may be useful in the evaluation of experimentally induced liver cirrhosis.