The role of homocystine in protecting protein-depleted dogs exposed to fatal doses of chloroform.

In dogs maintained on low protein diets and subjected to phlebotomy over a long period of time, the inhalation of chloroform, for 30 minutes, produced uniform fatality within 48 hours. The histological changes of massive hepato-cellular destruction were observed at autopsy. Homocystine, in the amount of 2.0 gm., given orally 2 hours after or 2 hours prior to the administration of chloroform, protected dogs against the lethal action of the toxin. Inconstant changes in fibrinogen and icteric indices were observed in the protected animals, indicating some mild liver damage, but this was not correlated with the length of the previous depletion period, the phase of the experiment, or any other factor. No evidence was obtained that methyl groups are necessary for the protection of the liver by homocystine.