Short-term toxicity of grass carp bile powder, 5alpha-cyprinol and 5alpha-cyprinol sulfate in rats.

We compared the short-term toxicity of toxic components of grass carp bile juice (GCBJ) in rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups and treated orally every 3 days with 40 mg each of freeze-dried GCBJ powder, 5alpha-cyprinol and 5alpha-cyprinol sulfate for 19 days. After treatment, the relative ratio of liver and kidney weight to body weight, the concentrations of RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit in the blood, the levels of aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in the plasma, and the levels of urinary urea nitrogen and creatinine in the urine were significantly increased. Body weight of rats and the levels of Na+, K+, Ca2+ in the urine were significantly decreased, especially for groups treated with GCBJ powder and 5alpha-cyprinol sulfate. Pathological examination of liver and kidney also showed cell enlargement and lesions, especially for groups treated with GCBJ powder and 5alpha-cyprinol sulfate. The grass carp bile juice exhibited significant toxicity, and the short-term toxicity of 5alpha-cyprinol sulfate and GCBJ powder was similar to each other. Renal but not hepatic failure induced by grass carp bile juice could be prevented by pentoxifylline.