Chronic Hepatotoxicity of Carbon Tetrachloride in HSP-70 Knock Out Mice

Abstract

The chronic hepatotoxic effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in heat-shock protein (HSP) 70 knock out (HSP70-/-) mice were examined. After repeated intraperitoneal injections of CCl₄ for six weeks, the level of ALT and weight ratio of the liver to body were lower in HSP70-/- mice than in the control (WT) mice. The levels of HSP25 and HSP47 were lowered in HSP70-/- mice as compared with WT mice. The grades of hepatic necrosis and neutrophil infiltration were not significantly different between HSP70-/- and WT mice. The collagen content was not affected significantly by CCl₄ treatment.