Effects of kerosene hydrocarbons on tissue metabolism in rats.

Kerosene hydrocarbons inhibit respiration of liver and kidney tissues in vitro simultaneously impairing biotransformation of hexobarbital and phenacetin in vivo. An increase in concentration of lactate and pyruvate in the blood and liver tissue, and a decrease in glucose concentration in the blood, reduction of glycogen content in the liver and in the skeletal muscle, with concomitant increase of lactate dehydrogenase activity in the liver were observed. These effects were noted mainly in rats acutely poisoned, while in subchronic poisoning they were less pronounced.