Protective effects of the mixed endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan in rats with CCL4-induced liver injury.

We determined whether the paracrine liver endothelin (ET) system participates in the pathogenesis of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Wistar-Kyoto rats were divided into four groups: a bosentan-treated group with CCl4 intoxication, a vehicle-treated group with CCl4 intoxication, a nontreated control group, and a bosentan-treated control group. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by determination of serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Tissue ET-1 concentrations and expression of endothelin receptor subtypes were analyzed. The liver tissue levels of ET-1 in rats with CCl4 intoxication were significantly higher than in normal rats. Scatchard analysis revealed no differences in the density and binding constants of ETA and ETB receptors between rats with CCl4 intoxication and controls. Bosentan treatment of rats undergoing CCl4 inhalation resulted in significant protection against elevation of ALT, AST, LDH, and bilirubin. In conclusion, this study showed that the paracrine ET system in involved in the pathogenesis of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and that blockade of the stimulated liver endothelin system reduces CCl4-induced liver injury.