Effects of high hepatic acetaldehyde level following simultaneous administration of ethanol and cyanamide on liver function in rats.

Extremely high concentrations of hepatic acetaldehyde were induced in rats by the intragastric administration of ethanol and cyanamide, an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor; and these high levels were maintained for 4 weeks. Liver function tests, including mitochondrial ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) and GOT activities, were within normal limits, and no increase in either hepatic triglyceride or collagen contents was observed. These results suggest that hepatotoxic effects of ethanol are not derived from the high acetaldehyde levels in the liver.