Estrogens as disposing factors in experimental liver injury.

The activity of hexobarbital metabolising enzymes of the liver is decreased as a consequence of both acute and chronical carbon tetrachloride damage. Simultaneous administration of estrogens was followed by more severe morphological and functional impairment although estrogens are not burdening the healthy liver. The beta receptor blocking propranolol prevented functional lesion, moderated fatty degeneration and liver cell necrosis in chronic carbon tetrachloride injury. A simultaneous estrogen administration decreased the therapeutic efficacy of beta blockade, however functional and morphological protective effects were not completely abolished. Estrogen medication should be rather avoided in hepatic damage.