Effect of cobaltous chloride on butylated hydroxytoluene-induced hepatic necrosis in rats.

Although a single dose of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT); 1000 mg/kg to rats induced a hepatic injury accompanying centrilobular necrosis, the pretreatment with cobaltous chloride, an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450 synthesis, could inhibit the damage. The marked elevations of serum transaminase activities and bile acid content induced by BHT were diminished to nearly the control level by pretreatment with cobaltous chloride. The protective effect of cobaltous chloride on BHT-induced hepatotoxicity is discussed.