Correlation between serum enzymes, isozyme patterns and histologically detectable organ damage

Abstract

Serum enzyme levels and isozyme profile were utilized as a measure of hepatotoxic response to carbon tetrachloride, mercuric chloride, diethanolamine and thioacetamide. The sensitivity of these measurements was compared with the degree of morphological damage to the liver or kidney as assessed by light and electron microscopy. Morphological damage was present at dosage levels considerably below those necessary to induce detectable enzyme alterations. Generally, advanced degenerative change, including necrosis, had occurred in both the liver and kidney before enzyme alterations were seen.