Metabolism of Trichloroethylene in the Isolated Perfused Rat Liver

Trichloroetylene (TRI) and its metabolites, i. e. chloral hydrate (CH), trichloroethanol (TCE) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), were investigated with the isolated perfused rat liver, in order to clarify the role of liver in metabolism of TRI. The results obtained were as follows : 1) TRI is promptly converted to TCE and TCA, but it is supposed that a large portion of TRI is once stored in the liver and then is metabolized slowly. 2) The ratio of TCE and TCA which are converted from TRI by the liver was 1 : 1.5- 3. Therfore it is supposed that some organs and tissues except liver produce an amount of TCE. 3) CH is metabolized to TCE and TCA immediately. 4) TCE (free type) produced from TRI is speedily conjugated by the liver. But a large percentage of TCE is once stored in the liver, and then appeared in the perfusate little by little. 5) A portion of TCE is converted to TCA by the liver. 6) Most TCA remains in the perfusate, however the liver takes up a portion of TCA.