Carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in the developing rat: an experimental model of cirrhosis in childhood.

An experimental animal model designed specifically to simulate liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in childhood is described. Phenobarbitone was administered continuously from the 4th day of life and carbon tetrachloride intermittently from the 13th day to developing rats for 10 weeks. Treated animals showed hepatic necrosis, hepatic regeneration and a progressive increase in hepatic fibrosis; cirrhosis developed before the animals reached sexual maturity at 72 days or were fully grown. Hepatic prolyl hydroxylase activity increased to a maximum level after 20 days of treatment, before increased hepatic collagen could be detected, and fell to a lower level as cirrhosis became established. Serum activities of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase gave a similar pattern, a marked increase at 20 days of age followed by a fall to near normal levels as hepatic damage became more severe. By the 26th day of life hepatic collagen levels were increased significantly and rose thereafter progressively as fibrosis became more widespread throughout the liver. Cirrhosis developed between the 38th and 75th days. Cirrhosis remained 10 weeks after discontinuation of treatment with phenobarbitone and carbon tetrachloride treatment.