Acute hepatotoxicity induced by hepatotoxins in Suncus murinus.

A comparative study was conducted to contrast the hepatotoxicity of several chemicals in the musk shrew (Suncus murinus) versus other common laboratory species (mouse or rat), and the following results were obtained from serum enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) and histopathological findings of liver specimens. The sensitivity of Suncus liver to CCl4 was different from that of mouse liver. The sensitivity of Suncus liver to beta-D-galactosamine was weaker than that of rat liver. The sensitivity of Suncus liver to ethanol was stronger than that of mouse liver. After a single oral administration of ethanol (99.5% v/v, 0.1 ml/50 g body weight), the gallbladder of Suncus became enlarged and dark blue in color. A striking fatty degeneration was seen 24 h after a single ip administration of amethopterin at 50 mg/kg in Suncus liver.