Different pathways of chloroform metabolism.

Chloroform metabolism can occur in liver, under physiological pO2 conditions, with and without participation of O2. Although, under anaerobic conditions the protein covalent binding of CHCl3 metabolites is lowered, cytochrome P-450 decrease is more substantial. The loss of cytochrome P-450 cannot be accounted for either by heme destruction or lipid peroxidation under anaerobic conditions. It is not prevented by GSH. Different spectral changes occur between 400 and 500 nm, depending on the oxygen concentration; transition takes place at 1-6% pO2.